The assignment was to choose three codes that were meaningful to me and explain why. However, there are so many that have very important messages, and are very meaningful. Because I could not narrow my list to three without complication, I decided to choose two from each agency.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAECY):
The primary focus of the Code of Ethics is on daily practice with children and their families in programs for children from birth through 8 years of age, such as infant/toddler programs, preschool and prekindergarten programs, child care centers, hospital and child life settings, family child care homes, kindergartens, and primary classrooms.
I-1.4—To appreciate the vulnerability of children and their dependence on adults.
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.
**These two codes go hand in hand. Children are very vulnerable. They look to us to teach them about the world, and about themselves. If we enter into their lives and don’t give them the respect, care, attention, and direction that they need they may head towards a life of destruction. Many of our children come to school to get their basic care needs met because they aren’t getting it at home. Not to say this holds true for all children, but the children that I have encountered these past few years come from low SES and underprivileged areas.
Source:
NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved December 16, 2011, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf
The Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children (DEC)
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.
1. We shall engage in ongoing and systematic reflective inquiry and self-assessment for the purpose of continuous improvement of professional performance and services to young children with disabilities and their families.
2. We shall continually be aware of issues challenging the field of early childhood special education and advocate for changes in laws, regulations, and policies leading to improved outcomes and services for young children with disabilities and their families.
**These two codes are important because issues and trends change so often in the field of education. While I feel that this is the most important profession, everyone does not have that same view. Therefore, we as early childhood professionals must obtain all the knowledge we can about this field so that we can advocate for ourselves, our centers and most importantly our children. Sounds cliché, but the children are definitely our future, so we are the ones that are to train them up.
Source: The Division for Early Childhood. (2000, August). Code of ethics. Retrieved December 16, 2011, from http://www.dec-sped.org/
