Examining Code Of Ethics

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 (NAEYC, 2005).

Being a member of NAEYC and an educator who works with young children, I have committed myself to the values as they reflect in the ideals and principles of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.

To the best of my ability I will:

·        Never harm children

·        Ensure that programs for young children are based on current knowledge and research of child development and early childhood education

·        Respect and support families in their task of nurturing children

·        Respect colleagues in early childhood care and education and support them in maintaining the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct

·        Serve as an advocate for children, their families, and their teachers in community and society

·        Stay informed of and maintain high standards of professional conduct

·        Engage in an ongoing process of self-reflection, realizing that personal characteristics, biases, and beliefs have an impact on children and families

·        Be open to new ideas and be willing to learn from the suggestion of others

·        Continue to learn, grow, and contribute as a professional

·        Honor the ideals and principles of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct

(NAEYC, 2005)

Here are a few ideals that I found meaningful from the NAEYC code of ethical conduct:

I-1.5 – 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, 2005)

I believe all children have a right to feel safe in their environment and it is my responsibility as an educator to foster their social, emotional, cognitive and physical development while treating them with respect.

Our ethical responsibilities to families:

I-2.2 – To develop relationships of mutual trust and create partnerships with the families we serve (NAEYC, 2005)

Parents, families, and educators it is imperative that we must work together to create the best possible environment that fosters a child's development.  

In the Code of Ethics written by the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Here is where I found the following ideal to be meaningful for me as it relates to professional and interpersonal behavior:

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 (DEC, 2009)

Parents of course are the child's first teacher, but as an educator I am a role model for the children in my care. If I want children to treat other children with respect, they must see me treat them and others with respect.

After examining these codes of ethics I know now that I am better prepared to act responsibly for the benefit of the children that I teach.

References

NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

The Division for Early Childhood. (2000, August). Code of ethics. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.dec-sped.org/