The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct offers guidelines
for responsible behavior and sets forth a common basis for resolving the
principal ethical dilemmas encountered in early childhood care and education. The Code of Ethics of
the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional
Children is a public statement of principles and practice guidelines supported
by the mission of DEC. The foundation of this Code is based on sound ethical
reasoning related to professional practice with young children with
disabilities and their families and with interdisciplinary colleagues.
Highlighted below are some of the guidelines mentioned in both the NAEYC and
DEC code of ethics that are especially meaningful to me as an early childhood
professional.
Ethical
Responsibilities to Children
1.
To recognize and respect the
unique qualities, abilities, and potential of each child. (NAEYC)
2.
To create and maintain safe
and healthy settings that foster children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and
physical development and that respect their dignity and their contributions. (NAEYC)
We shall demonstrate in our behavior
and language respect and appreciation for the unique value and human potential
of each child. (DEC)
3.
To ensure that each child’s
culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure are recognized and valued in
the program. (NAEYC)
I believe it is extremely important to not only recognize
each child as a unique individual but to let each child know that they are
valued for who they are. Each child’s culture, language, ethnicity and family
structure contribute to their shaping as an individual and it is important to
recognize and value this diversity so that the children in turn will feel
valued. I also believe it is important to keep in mind the developmental needs
of individual children when creating a learning environment within the
classroom and making sure that individual needs are addressed.
Ethical
Responsibilities to Families
1.
To develop relationships of
mutual trust and create partnerships with the families we serve. (NAEYC)
2.
To welcome all family
members and encourage them to participate in the program. (NAEYC)
3.
To respect the dignity and
preferences of each family and to make an effort to learn about its structure,
culture, language, customs, and beliefs. (NAEYC)
We shall honor and respect the diverse
backgrounds of our colleagues including such diverse characteristics as sexual
orientation, race, national origin, religious beliefs, or other affiliations.
(DEC)
Research shows the benefits of family involvement
in a child’s development and education. I value family participation and view
families and educators as partners in a child’s development. Familiarizing
myself and showing respect for each family’s uniqueness and creating
opportunities for family participation in the program creates opportunities to
build relationships and further strengthen the partnerships. Families become
more open to sharing information about a child’s home life and become more
trusting and receptive of all that teachers have to offer them. Their
participation in class activities can help enrich the curriculum immensely.
Ethical
Responsibilities to Colleagues: Co-workers
1.
To establish and maintain
relationships of respect, trust, confidentiality, collaboration, and cooperation
with co-workers. (NAEYC)
We shall honor and respect the diverse backgrounds of our
colleagues including such diverse characteristics as sexual orientation, race,
national origin, religious beliefs, or other affiliations.(DEC)
Our work as
educators usually involves collaborating with others and working as a team. Although
we may have our differences it is important to always remember our main focus,
the children and always work toward their benefit. Although we may try to hide
any tensions between each other children sense it immediately. Therefore it is
important to strive to maintain positive relationships between co-workers and
be positive role models to the children.
Ethical
Responsibilities to Community and Society
1.
To promote knowledge and understanding of young children and
their needs. To work toward greater societal acknowledgment of children’s rights
and greater social acceptance of responsibility for the well-being of all
children. (NAEYC)
I believe that as professionals in the early
childhood field we have a responsibility to not only educate and look out for
the well-being of the children in our care but to reach out the greater
community create awareness about issues concerning the field of early childhood
education.
