Week 7 Examining Codes of Ethics

                                                      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 

NAEYC. (2005). Code of ethical conduct and statement of            commitment. Retrieved May from

                http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.p     df

The Division for Early Childhood. (2000). Code of         

            ethics. Retrieved from

           http://www.dec-sped.org/

  (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.