This week I have had the opportunity to review the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and the Division for Early Childhood's Code of Ethics. The agencies both value children and families, want continued education and training for teachers and sense the importance of advocating for children, families and educators. There were many ideals that I found to be of importance but will summarize three of them now.
NAEYC Ethical Responsibilities to Children:
I1.1- To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training.
DEC Code of Ethics
Professional and Interpersonal Behavior
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.
This is important to me because I believe in it. Many people come into the early childhood field with minimal (if any) education and training in child development, the importance of play and developmentally appropriate practices. They enter the field believing it is "easy" work and they will get to just "play" with children all day. What they do not understand is how children learn, the developmental milestones that children pass through, how vital early care is because of the brain development that takes place by age 8 and how important it is to care, nurture, accept and love all the children in their care. Providing the basics of child development through education courses and training opportunities is vital. Continuing the training and keeping up-to-date on what is the best practice for early care and education is important as well. We expect our doctors, mechanics and hair stylist to know all the recent medical breakthroughs, recalls on our cars and the newest hair styles...wouldn't it make sense to want our teachers to know the best ways of teaching and caring for our children.
NAEYC Ethical Responsibilities to Children
I1.5-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.
DEC Code of Ethics
Professional and Interpersonal Behavior
6. We shall build relationships with individual children and families while individualizing the curricula and learning environments to facilitate young children's development and learning.
What sticks out for me here is safe and healthy settings. Unfortunately an early childhood classroom may be the only safe place that some children have, it may be the only time they receive meals regularly and the only time they can be without stress. I try to emphasize to teachers the importance of setting a positive tone in their classrooms so that the children know they are loved, can feel safe and secure while they are there because that is when they will learn the best. These statements also point out the importance of teaching to the whole child, looking at all domains of their development. These two statements also represent individualizing for each child. So many times teacher focus on what they want to teach and what they want the children to learn instead of focusing on what the children are interested in. When teacher's know their children well enough individualizing is an easy task. All it takes is spending time with the children and their families, talking to them and getting to know them.
NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
Responsibilities to Community and Society
14.4 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.
DEC Code of Ethics
Enhancement of Children's and Famililes' Quality of Lives
4. We shall advocate for equal access to high quality services and supports for all children an families to enhance their quality of lives.
All children, regardless of race, culture, economic status, or disabilities, should have access to high quality care and education. It is our job as the professionals in the field to advocate for that. Advocacy does not require a degree in politics or a deep understanding of the political system. Advocating simply means using your voice for those who are unable to use theirs. Children can't speak up for themselves and sometimes parents don't feel they can speak up. As early childhood professionals we know how important early care is, how early the brain develops and how vital it is for children to have proper nutrition to learn and grow. It is our responsibility to inform those that do not understand these concepts and get them to a point of understanding so they fund our programs. We must use medical research, educational research and all other means available to support our work and get the funding needed to continue the quest to care for and educate ALL children.
Resources:
National Association for the Education of Young Children: Code of Ethical Conduct (April 2005)
Division for Early Childhood: Code of Ethics (August 2009)
Amy, As I look at the Ideals you chose, I also agree with you. All of them was important to me, but we only had to choose three. As an Early Childhood Professional, we do have to stay current with research and information in the early childhood field. We don't need to get comfortable with what we know, but strive to learn more to be an help to the children and their families. Also, we do need to advocate for equal quality and services for ALL children regardless of race, physical abilities, or the language they speak.
ReplyDeleteAmy,
ReplyDeleteI know it was difficult to narrow the choices down to 3 each. You chose some very important ethics. I remember when I declared my major of Child and Family Studies, way back in 1972, one of my professors stood in front of the class and asked, "who is going into this field because you think it is easy?" Some of the students held up their hands. The professor then asked them to leave the classroom and go back to their advisors to declare a different major. She then said to the rest of us still sitting in the room, with our mouths open in shock, that this would be the most important, frustrating, and rewarding job we would ever do in our lives. She was not wrong.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteYou picked great ideals. I believe that every child should have the best education possible, no matter race or sex. Children are born with clean hearts and are taught from us. We need to learn that as educators it is our responsibility to give each child the best education posibile.
Hello Amy,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know I really enjoyed reading your posts. You have inspired me to become a better educator.
I wanted to say thank you for your insight to the EC Field.