A mind is a terrible thing to waste, especially the mind of achild, which is why the Barbara K. Lipman Early Childhood Schooland Research Institute is dedicated to developing young childrenand the students who wish to teach them.
The Lipman School, founded in 1947, is a part of the College ofEducation at The University of Memphis. The school specializes indeveloping kids ages 2 through 9.
One of the purposes of the school is to collaborate withstudents and faculty to "observe, learn about, and conduct researchabout young children."
Sandra Brown Turner, director of the Lipman School, said thereare plenty of opportunities in Memphis for those interested in acareer teaching children.
"There isn't a shortage of teachers, but there is a shortage ofwell-trained teachers," Turner said. "I would just encourage youngpeople to get involved with early childhood development because itis a needed and noble profession."
Ric A. Hovda, dean of the School of Education at The U of M,agreed, calling childhood education "extremely important."
The U of M is one of the best places to get started for thoselooking for a career in the field, Hovda added.
"We have premier faculties here," he said. "They are respectednot just locally but nationally."
Students who want to obtain a degree in the area should major inIntegrative Studies and concentrate on Early Childhood Education,Hovda said.
Many graduates would prefer teaching younger children to olderstudents because "children are the best learners. You get moredirect results," because humans gain 75 percent of their knowledgebefore their sixth birthday, Turner said.
Young children learn important basics like social skills and howthings are ordered, but the content of what children learn willdiffer depending on what is appropriate for their age, Hovdaadded.
"You don't get 2-year-olds involved in computer games," hesaid.
The Lipman School bases a good deal of its teaching practices onthe work of the late Italian doctor Maria Montessori. Born in 1870,Montessori was a revolutionary thinker for her time. She based hermethods on what children did naturally, unassisted by adults.Turner said she helped kids become "decent, organized humanbeings."
In addition to applying the Montessori method, the Lipman Schoolalso tries to encourage kids to eat healthy foods, like fruit andvegetables instead of candy.
For those looking for other opportunities to work with youngchildren, Turner said there is a shortage of well-trained people inchildcare. She also recommended the federal program Head Start.
