National Association for the Education of Young Children Code of Ethics
The three ideals from each group which profoundly reflect my code of ethics, are;
I-1.1—To be familiar with the knowledge base of early
childhood care and education and to stay informed
through continuing education and training.
My thoughts: I think this is a very pertinent ideal that should not only be asserted in early childhood but in life period. Because I’ve realized that the only thing in life that doesn’t change is change. We must all stay abreast of trends, people change and thoughts change over the course of time. For instance, if you asked a child of age 5 to show you how to use a computer mouse, more often than not, they would succeed. But if you had asked an adult of at least 50-60 to show you one 10 years ago that couldn’t have. So we need the necessary training in order to train and not be trained (that is, by the children, of course).
I-1.4—To appreciate the vulnerability of children and
their dependence on adults.
My thoughts: I love this ideal, it reflects my ideal that children are people or humans too, that have feelings just as we do. However, adults one distinct advantage, they have the power and the might to control a child. We must not use this leverage to intimidate but to accommodate
I-1.9—To advocate for and ensure that all children,
including those with special needs, have access to the
support services needed to be successful.
My thoughts: So many times I have seen cases where the disabled or handicapped are treated as second class, but I’ve also seen where those very people have become CEO’s or Inventors and that is because the person who was responsible for their well being made sure that they received the necessary support needed for them to become their best.
The Code of Ethics of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children
1. 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.
My thoughts: Another ideal that is close to my heart, there is no way that we can be of great service to any child if we don’t take the time to learn something about his/her family. The father in the movie ‘A Time To Kill’ said it best when he told his attorney, (and I am paraphrasing) that he could never know the challenges of being a black man, because he never lived a black man’s life, and because he never took the time to notice that not all blacks were uncivil, that even though they were culturally different, they had the same wants and needs. So yes, we must respect the lives of those that are different from us. In a professional setting diversity is a must.
2. We shall support professionals new to the field by mentoring them in the practice of evidence and ethically based services
My thoughts: I’ve witnessed time where if you’re new to the job, you’re treated as an outcast or as one who doesn’t belong, but we as professionals must embrace and welcome those who are newcomers, we mustn’t be negative or complaint filled. We must be a positive and a firm role model.
3. 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.
My thoughts: Oh yes! Although know-one is perfect, we must sustain positive character for ourselves and especially our children. Children learn from what they see and hear, and they are like sponges, they soak up everything, nothing is separated. Not only have I applied this ideal to my professional life, I’ve also applied it to my personal life
