WEEK 7
Two code of ethic statements
from:
NAEYC and DEC codes
3 Ideals contained in The NAEYC Code of Ethics that are meaningful to me.
1. Ethical Responsibilities to Children
"Childhood is a unique and valuable stage in the
human life cycle. Our paramount responsibility is to
provide care and education in settings that are safe,healthy, nurturing, and responsive for each child. We
are committed to supporting children’s development
and learning; respecting individual differences; and
helping children learn to live, play, and work cooperatively.
We are also committed to promoting
children’s self-awareness, competence, self-worth,
resiliency, and physical well-being".
I-1.8—To support the right of each child to play and
learn in an inclusive environment that meets the
needs of children with and without disabilities.
2. Ethical Responsibilities to Families
"Families* are of primary importance in children’s
development. Because the family and the early childhood
practitioner have a common interest in the child’s
well-being, we acknowledge a primary responsibility to
bring about communication, cooperation, and collaboration
between the home and early childhood program
in ways that enhance the child’s development".
I-2.8—To help family members enhance their understanding
of their children and support the continuing
development of their skills as parents.
3.Ethical Responsibilities to Community
and Society
"Early childhood programs operate within the context of
their immediate community made up of families and
other institutions concerned with children’s welfare.
Our responsibilities to the community are to provide
programs that meet the diverse needs of families, to
cooperate with agencies and professions that share the
responsibility for children, to assist families in gaining
access to those agencies and allied professionals, and
to assist in the development of community programs
that are needed but not currently available.
As individuals, we acknowledge our responsibility to
provide the best possible programs of care and education
for children and to conduct ourselves with honesty
and integrity. Because of our specialized expertise in
early childhood development and education and
because the larger society shares responsibility for the
welfare and protection of young children, we acknowledge
a collective obligation to advocate for the best
interests of children within early childhood programs
and in the larger community and to serve as a voice for
young children everywhere".
1-4.1—To provide the community with high-quality
early childhood care and education programs and
services.
These three ideals contained in The NAEYC Code of Ethics statements are meaningful and has become part of my professional life because I take great passion in making a difference and helping support the parents, families,and children in my program by obtaining a positive, safe, healthy, and fun learning environment for all children and families in and around my community.
3 Ideals contained in the DEC Codes of Ethics that are meaningful to me.
"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. Foremost, is our value of
respecting the autonomy of families as they make decisions for their young children with disabilities while also
practicing a mutual respect for our colleagues in the field. We, as early childhood professionals, practice within
the principles and guidelines outlined below as well as uphold the laws and regulations of our professional
licensure standards.
The Code’s purpose is to: (1) identify the key principles guiding our professional conduct; and (2) provide
guidance for practice and personal dilemmas in our conduct of research and practice. The Code is intended to
assist professionals in resolving conflicts as they arise in practice with children and families and with other
colleagues".
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
"practice principles to promote and maintain high standards
of conduct for the early childhood special education professional. The early childhood special education
professional should base his or her behaviors on ethical reasoning surrounding practice and professional
issues as well as an empathic reflection regarding interactions with others. We are committed to beneficence
acts for improving the quality of lives of young children with disabilities and their families".
Professional and Interpersonal Behavior
1. 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.
RESPONSIVE FAMILY CENTERED PRACTICES
" families receive individualized, meaningful, and
relevant services responsive to their beliefs, values, customs, languages, and culture. We are committed to
enhancing the quality of children’s and families’ lives by promoting family well-being and participation in typical
life activities. The early childhood special education professional will demonstrate respect for all families, taking
into consideration and acknowledging diverse family structures, culture, language, values, and customs.
Finally, families will be given equal voice in all decision making relative to their children".
Enhancement of Children’s and Families’ Quality of Lives
2. We shall recognize our responsibility to improve the developmental outcomes of children and to
provide services and supports in a fair and equitable manner to all families and children.
ETHICAL AND EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES
"in the field of early childhood special education relies upon
sound research methodologies and research based practices to ensure high quality services for children and
families. As professionals researching and practicing within the field, it is our responsibility to maintain ethical
conduct in building a cadre of practices based on evidence. Establishing an evidence base not only involves
critically examining available research evidence relative to our professional practices, it also involves continually
engaging in research to further refine our research-based or recommended practices.
Sound and ethical research strategies always should be used including adherence to institutional review board
procedures and guidelines prior to the conduct of research and use of peer-reviewed venues for published
dissemination of findings. Honoring and respecting the diversity of children and families should guide all
research activities".
Evidence Based Practices
3. We shall use every resource, including referral when appropriate, to ensure high quality services
are accessible and are provided to children and families.
These three ideals contained in The Division of Early Childhood Code of Ethics statements are meaningful and has become part of my professional life because I am striving to build and promote a quality classroom that will support families and the development of all children with and without disabilities.
References
The Division for Early Childhood. (2000). Code of
(NAEYC, 2005).
(DEC, 2000).
INTROSPECTIVE PROCESS
Glossary of Terms Related to Ethics
Code of Ethics. Defines the core values of the field
and provides guidance for what professionals
should do when they encounter conflicting obligations
or responsibilities in their work.
Values. Qualities or principles that individuals believe
to be desirable or worthwhile and that they prize
for themselves, for others, and for the world in
which they live.
Core Values. Commitments held by a profession that
are consciously and knowingly embraced by its
practitioners because they make a contribution to
society. There is a difference between personal
values and the core values of a profession.
Morality. Peoples’ views of what is good, right, and
proper; their beliefs about their obligations; and
their ideas about how they should behave.
Ethics. The study of right and wrong, or duty and
obligation, that involves critical reflection on
morality and the ability to make choices between
values and the examination of the moral dimensions
of relationships.
Professional Ethics. The moral commitments of a
profession that involve moral reflection that extends and enhances the personal morality
practitioners bring to their work, that concern
actions of right and wrong in the workplace, and
that help individuals resolve moral dilemmas they
encounter in their work.
Ethical Responsibilities. Behaviors that one must or
must not engage in. Ethical responsibilities are
clear-cut and are spelled out in the Code of Ethical
Conduct (for example, early childhood educators
should never share confidential information about a
child or family with a person who has no legitimate
need for knowing).
Ethical Dilemma. A moral conflict that involves
determining appropriate conduct when an individual
faces conflicting professional values and
responsibilities.
As an individual who works with young children, I commit myself to furthering the
values of early childhood education as they are reflected 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 suggestions of others.
• Continue to learn, grow, and contribute as a professional.
• Honor the ideals and principles of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.
