Code of Ethics

This week as I read about the code of ethics from two agencies, first the National Association for the Education of Young Children and second the Division of Early Childhood there was one that just topped the list...

P-1.1—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. This principle has precedence over all others in this Code.

• This is so important.  Children are almost always trusting and we are in a position of trust.  Harming a child is fracturing that trust. Parents and our community look to us for protection and guidance if we damage that balance it makes our work harder and it creates a chasm of doubt around our field. We have been given a great responsibility, the future of our world rests in our hands every day. 

I also found that in the last few weeks I have really begun to understand and gain a new respect for what it means to be an advocate.  In doing so that brought me to another ideal that I felt was also equally important in this code.

 

I-4.7—To support policies and laws that promote the well-being of children and families, and to work to change those that impair their well-being. To participate in developing policies and laws that are needed, and to cooperate with other individuals and groups in these efforts.

• In the field of Early Childhood it is so important to really stay on top of the policies and laws that our government is putting into place.  Sometime the laws are good and we need to stay up and support them.  We need to help others understand why they are a good thing.  Other times those who make the laws are poorly informed and they create laws that have a negative effect on our children and families.  We as educators have to be informed advocates for children and families.  We are privileged to be so knowledgeable it is our responsibility to share that knowledge and to use it to fight the tough battles. 

1-2.9-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. 

• It is so important to maintain a healthy balance between our own personal and professional knowledge and experiences.  We also have to be open to criticism and understand that we must use new practice an research.  We must maintain the highest level of performance in our field.  

I think that the entire code of ethics is really very important.  These just stuck out to me.  I think it is very important for us to demonstrate these commitments each and every day. 

 

NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved Oct 18, 2011, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf