Examining Codes of Ethics - My Core Ideals
Reading through the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment, and the DEC Code of Ethics, there are ideals and principles that reign true to my heart and in the professionalism I seek to carryout in this field of early childhood education. The purpose of these ideals and principles are to provide professionals consistency and a format of daily practice for dealing with children and their families in the programs for children ages birth to 8 years of age. The Ideals I highlight from NAEYC are;
· Ethical Responsibility to Children – meaning our responsibility is to provide care and education in settings that are nurturing, healthy, and safe; while positively responsive to the needs of each individual child.
I-1.10 To ensure that each child’s culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure are recognized and valued in the program.
· Ethical Responsibility to Families – meaning that we must understand that families are of primary importance in the child’s development. Professionals must acknowledge a responsibility to bring about communication, cooperation, and collaboration between home and the EC program practitioner in ways that will enhance the child’s development.
I-2.2 To develop relationships of mutual trust, to create partnerships with the families.
I-2.3 To welcome all family members and encourage them to participate in the program.
· Ethical Responsibility to the Community – meaning EC programs must operate within the context of the immediate community which they serve. This community is made up of families, and other institutions concerned of the welfare of children. The primary responsibility is to meet the diverse needs of families, to cooperate with agencies, and to assist in developing community programs that are needed but not currently available.
I-4.1 (Individual) To provide the community with high-quality early childhood care and education programs and services.
I-4.2 (Collective) To promote cooperation among professionals and agencies and interdisciplinary collaboration among professions concerned with addressing issues in the health, education, and well-being of young children, their families, and their early childhood educators.
I-4.4 To work through education, research, and advocacy toward a society in which all young children have access to high-quality early care and education programs.
The item that stood out to me from the DEA Code of Ethics was from strand 1 dealing with professional practice. To define professional practice for the EC field is the practice of principles to promote and maintain high standards of conduct for the EC and special education professional. This matter is important for me in the fact that children and families will respond to a high standard of conduct when it is presented. In my experience, the families “come up to practice what they experience from their EC practitioners. I you conduct your business in a “low budget” fashion then the families will respond with “low budget” activity. If you are presenting high end, high quality conduct and service; the families will respond and become accustomed to that conduct and practice that themselves. I have seen behavior such as described at the schools I have taught.
I. Professional and Interpersonal Behavior
1. We shall demonstrate in our behavior and language respect and appreciation for the unique value and human potential of each child.
2. We shall demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, and honesty in all our professional activities in order to inspire the trust and confidence of the children and families and of those with whom we work.
3. We shall strive for the highest level of personal and professional competence by seeking and using new evidence based information to improve our practices while also responding openly to the suggestions of others.
There are many more items I could highlight in terms of professional practice, but these here are a core representation of what I would like to strive for in the advancement of quality care for all children.
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