The principles and ideals of the Code of Ethical Conduct of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a guide for the daily practice and behavior of personnel in the Early Childhood field. “Childhood is a unique and valuable stage in the human life cycle” (NAEYC 2005). As educators in this field it is therefore our duty to foster the children’s development while we recognize and respect their individualities and diversities and teach them to play, learn, and live together. Three of the ideals and principles from the Code of Ethical Conduct that stood out with me were:
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.
Our purpose in the Early Childhood arena is to help and not to harm in any aspect of the child’s development. All that we do should align with this principle to build confidence in the children and help them to thrive.
I-1.3—To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities, and potential of each child.
Every child is a unique individual, and must be treated as such. Sometimes when educators have the privilege of teaching siblings, we err on expecting one child to be like another. We should rather get to know each child individually and explore the potential in them all with no comparison to another but allowing each to perform and grow at their own pace.
P-1.2—We shall care for and educate children in positive emotional and social environments that are cognitively stimulating and that support each child’s culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure.
I-1.5—To create and maintain safe and healthy settings that foster children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development and that respect their dignity and their contributions.
I thought that principle 1.2 and ideal 1.5 supported and confirmed each other. It is important that when working with young children the environment is conducive for learning and development. It must be safe physically so the children would harm themselves or others, and must also foster cognitive curiosity and growth. It must be colorful and bright with varied textures and if possible have an area that mimics the natural environment or at least has access to the outdoors. It is also important that we respect the various cultures that our children represent. If the child does not feel safe and welcomed in our environment little or no learning will take place.
One principle that stood out to me from The Code of Ethics of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children was listed under the professional and interpersonal behavior section.
1. We shall demonstrate in our behavior and language respect and appreciation for the unique value and human potential of each child.
Our actions may speak louder than our words however both must be welcoming and respectful when demonstrated. Our students must be able to read even with our body language the care and concern we have for them and our words need to be positive ones that help to lay a strong foundation for their self-esteem.
As an educator in this field it is important for me to be aware of understand and to be guided by the Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment of the National Association for the Education of Young Children as well as the Code of Ethics of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children.
References
Code of Ethics of the Division for Early Childhood (2000) Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201620_02/MS_MECS/EDUC_6005/Week%207/Resources/Resources/embedded/dec_codeofethics.pdf
NAEYC (2005). Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201620_02/MS_MECS/EDUC_6005/Week%207/Resources/Resources/embedded/naeyc_codeofethicspdf.pdf
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