Welcome to Seminar: Ethics in Early Childhood Development

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear

and the blind can see.”

Mark Twain

Looking back to Unit 7 share what you recall about:

Professional Organizations

Professional Services

Ways to accommodate:

• Professional Development

• Changing job descriptions

• Changing family structures

• Personal management strategies

NAEYC’s Code of Ethical ConductWhen completing the Unit 8 Readings consider the following: Identify which codes govern professionals who work in the field of early childhood developmentExplain the main reasons why ethical codes are important

Core Values of Ethical Behavior*o Appreciating childhood as a unique and valuable

stage of the human life cycle o Basing our work with children on knowledge of child

development o Appreciating and supporting the close ties between

the child and familyo Recognizing that children are best understood and

supported in the context of family, culture, community, and society

o Respecting the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual (child, family member, and colleague)

o Helping children and adults achieve their full potential in the context of relationships that are based on trust, respect, and positive regard * NAEYC

Take 5: Explore the NAEYC Code

http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethical Conductand Statement of Commitment provides not only a guideline for appropriate behaviors but some assurance that professionals stay within legal mandates. To explore this code:

Link inside box or search – naeyc code of ethical conduct

Principles of Ethical Practice

• We always maintain the confidentiality of the parents and our co-workers.

• We are honest, dependable, and reliable• We are truthful with children, parents, and

our co-workers• We treat all families with respect• We treat each child as an individual

What are our ethical responsibilities?

• To children?• To parents?• To families?• To our colleagues?• To the community & society? • To ourselves?• To the law?

Finding courage, diplomacy, and doing the

right thing… Recognizing the right choice is often not as difficult as

acting on it. Finding the courage to calmly, and objectively address problematic real life situations is a challenge every early childhood professional experiences. Placing the welfare and safety of children first is essential and establishing a ‘no tolerance’ policy for questionable situations informs parents and staff you will follow standards set in place by law and by professional organizations.

Share personal experiences – no names please…

Real-Life Situation #1

Cultural Differences

You teach in a school that has a population from a culture in which physical punishment is common. This morning a girl from this cultural group strikes another child. A new aide who shares the child's culture grabs him and twists his ear. The child is momentarily stunned but soon is fine and seems calm the rest of the day. Apart from some redness, there are no other effects. When you speak with the aide, she tells you children in her community are used to this discipline. She says, "It calmed him down, didn't it?“

Questions to follow…

Cultural Differences

• The issue: Do you tell the aide that physical punishment is not acceptable in your class OR do you let it go?

• Response: You let it go because she knows the culture better than you do.

How does the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct apply in this scenario?

As a champion of diversity and culture…

Recognize that classrooms and communities are becoming increasingly diverse, representing different races and cultures

Recognize that diversity has many forms:• Individual abilities• Individual interests• Individual

personalities• Ethnicity• Religion• Food

• Language

• Social norms/ expectations

• Family traditions/ values

• Personal or group beliefs

• Community norms

• Etc. Share other forms

Real-Life Situation #2

Going Home

You are a toddler teacher. One student's mother comes to pick up her child and drive him home. From her slurred speech and clumsy movements, you suspect that she has been drinking heavily after work.

Questions to follow…

Going Home• The issue: Do you refuse to let the

parent take the child and ask her to call someone else to drive OR do you let her drive the child home?

• Response: You decide to ignore it this time, because you're not sure that she's really drunk.

• How does the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct apply in this scenario?

Reporting Abuse/ NeglectAs educators, one of our jobs is

reporting and recognizing child abuse and neglect in all forms. It is the law!

1. Emotional2. Physical3. Sexual4. Neglect

Recognizing the signs• Sudden changes:

- behavior

- school performance

- mood

• Difficulty concentrating

• Child is:

- overly compliant

- overly affectionate

- withdrawn

- passive

- frequently absent

- aggressive/ angry

• Child resists going home

• Child inflicts self injury

• Unexplained burns, bruises, broken bones, bites, etc.• Lacks medical/ dental care,

immunizations, glasses, etc.• Begs or steals food/ money• Sexual Abuse indicators: - reports nightmares - bedwetting - difficulty walking/ sitting - runs away from home - age inappropriate behavior with

sexual overtone - over sensitive to touch - explicit language• Parent has little concern for child/

view is negative/ no bonding

Share your thoughtsWhat strategies from this unit or previous

units in this course, or elsewhere, will enable you to meet your obligation as an Early Childhood Professional to follow the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct?

Wrap Up: Ethical Conduct“The longer we consider and examine the

present day methods of education, the more clearly we recognize that children lack the care

and consideration which would be in accord with their present and future needs, a care which

considers equally the child’s mental and physical needs and capacities.”

Friedrich Froebel 1844 translated by J. Liebschner, edited by B. Watson1