The Code of Ethical Conduct by
the NAEYC is an excellent position statement that guides our profession. It is
difficult to choose only a few ideals that I feel are meaningful to me. Here
are five of the ones I felt can make the biggest impact in my profession today.
Section II
Ethical responsibilities to Families
I-2.4—To listen to families, acknowledge and build upon their
strengths and competencies, and learn from families as we support them in their
task of nurturing children.
Every family and every child
is unique and they teach us as much as we educate them. I feel this ideal opens
our minds as professionals to becoming better listeners and to therefore take
into consideration what each family brings to our classroom and program. This
ideal acknowledges that we support parents, as they are doing the nurturing of
their children, but that we must take into consideration what the family wants,
and not only what we think is best for their children.
Since I work in a culturally
diverse city (and preschool), this becomes an important responsibility to
families.
I-2.9—To participate in building support networks for families
by providing them with opportunities to interact with program staff, other
families, community resources, and professional services.
In order to help families to
support and nurture their children, we must provide them with the tools and resources
needed in this responsibility. I find this ideal recognizes that we can play a
key role in connecting families with who and what they need while raising a
family. It also recognizes that families do need these tools and resources.
Though we are constantly
directing our precious families to their needed support, I intend to expand
this responsibility at the nursery. If we can build the support network for
families, then we help each child indirectly and more permanently.
Section III
Ethical responsibilities to Colleagues.
I-3A.2—To share resources with co-workers, collaborating to
ensure that the best possible early childhood care and education program is
provided.
It is only through
collaboration that we can optimize our work with children. The institution is a
reflection of its individuals. If the individual is well resourced but does not
share wisdom and knowledge, then they limit their own progress by limiting the
institution's progress. I still believe our colleagues are our best resources, and
my efforts are for staff to recognize that. Our nursery's culture is of a team
approach in every task, which promotes collaboration by everyone.
Section IV
Ethical responsibilities to Community and
Society
I-4.2—To promote cooperation among professionals and
agencies and interdisciplinary collaboration among professions concerned with
addressing issues in the health, education, and well-being of young children,
their families, and their early childhood educators.
Similar to collaboration
between colleagues, we need to see all professionals who work with children as
colleagues and so their input in caring for children is crucial. If we can
cover all aspects of childhood, then we serve the child completely.
It would be ideal for our
nursery to be in close coordination with our governing bodies, with the
pediatricians in town, social workers, therapists, schools and more. It would
provide us with the tools and knowledge to educate and help every child and
their family, as necessary. This is an ideal that I am motivated to work
towards continually.
I-4.6—To promote knowledge and understanding of young
children and their needs. To work toward greater societal acknowledgment of
children’s rights and greater social acceptance of responsibility for the well-being
of all children.
Children are under our care
for only a few hours a day, and with their pediatrician once in a few months,
and other professionals only periodically. I feel this ideal reveals the fact
that if members of our society are educated in children's rights then the
impact is much bigger than educating only the professionals. Members of society
include parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, neighbors, religious figures,
nurses, coaches and many more… where they all interact with children and can
influence their lives continuously. The more we educate all members of society,
the more we benefit the children.
This is a responsibility of
every professional working with children, and to a higher level, the
responsibility of our governments and associations.
