NAEYC’s Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment lays an outline of professional responsibilities that address four sections of professional relationships: (1) with children, (2) with families, (3) among colleagues, and (4) with the community and society. The Code includes a set of ideals that reflect professional goals, practices, and principles.
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, whose purpose is to assist professionals in resolving emerging struggles with children, families, and colleagues.
After examining the codes of ethics, I have chosen to share a few that I feel were the initial reason I have become an educator…
Concerning Children:
•Above all, we shall not harm children. We shall not participate in practices that are emotionally damaging, physically harmful, disrespectful, degrading, dangerous, exploitative, or intimidating to children (NAEYC, 2005).
• To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities, and potential of each child. (NAEYC, 2005).
• Appreciate vulnerability of children and their dependence on adults (NAEYC, 2005).
When working with young children, it is vital to understand how fragile they are, and how much they rely on adults to nurture their development and enhance their learning. I feel that when teachers are alone in the classroom, they must be fully aware of the great trust that has been put in them, and live up to the responsibility.
Concerning other adults and the community:
• We shall demonstrate our respect and concern for children, families, colleagues, and others with whom we work, honoring their beliefs, values, customs, languages, and culture (DEC,2009).
• 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).
• We shall honor and respect our responsibilities to colleagues while upholding the dignity and autonomy of colleagues and maintaining collegial inter professional and intra professional relationships (DEC, 2009).
• We shall support professionals new to the field by mentoring them in the practice of evidence and ethically based services (DEC, 2009).
As educators, we have the privilege to influence the most vulnerable element of society; children. Hence, we have to set a constructive example for them so they can impart their own positive attitude to their society. We undertake the task of being role models to others, and in displaying respect to everyone we interact with is crucial to the effects we have on others and our society.
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. (2009, August). Code of ethics. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.dec-sped.org/
