Ethical Expectations Along with upholding professional standards, one of the hallmarks of any profession is strict adherence to a code of ethics. As early childhood professionals, the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. is your guide on how to meet your responsibilities to “children, families, colleagues, and the broader society” (Bredekamp, 2017, p. 528). In order to understand how to meet your ethical expectations, you will need to have a solid foundation in your early childhood education code of ethics. To prepare for this discussion, read the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. in its entirety. As you are reading this important code, be thinking specifically about how each of the principles applies to your current or future work with children. For your initial post, Explain why, according to Bredekamp (2017), “the first principle is the most important and takes precedence over all others” (p. 528). Determine how you might rank principles 2 through 6 of the code. Defend your ranked list by providing examples and support from at least one scholarly resource (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and your course text. Justify why it is important as leaders in the field of early childhood education that we adhere to each of the ethical principles outlined in the code. Design a word cloud (Wordle (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.) that can be hung on your classroom wall or placed in a newsletter that incorporates the NAEYC statement of commitment (Figure 16.3 of your course text). Be creative and make this image have specific relevance to your current or future work with students, while still being an acknowledgement of your ethical responsibilities to children and their families. Post your word cloud at the end of the written portion of your discussion. Be sure to save your Wordle, because you will be asked to modify it in Week 5 of this course. Guided Response: Respond to at least two of your peers’ posts. Compare and contrast portions of your ranked list to their ranked list. Based on their research and justification (not opinion), respectfully discuss how their points have influenced your thoughts on ethical principles. Finally, share some ethical situations you have encountered or read about (keeping in mind your ethical obligation to confidentiality) and how understanding this code of ethics will support the outcome of such a situation(s). Though two replies is the basic expectation, for deeper engagement and learning you are encouraged to provide responses to any comments or questions others have given to you. Remember, continuing to engage with peers and the instructor will further the conversation and provide you with opportunities to demonstrate your content expertise, critical thinking, and real-world experiences with this topic.

Question 1

Children’s safety and welfare are one of the most critical issues that can be addressed in the current world. Therefore, it should be the priority of any parent or any adult to give priority to safeguarding the welfare and the safety of underage children.  They should be protected from danger and all forms of abuse. Child advocates such as fathers should discuss ways on how to prevent the children from all sorts of abuse such as rape, prostitution and child labour. There are various reasons as to why children should be protected (NAEYEC, 2011). There are many unseen as well as seen dangers that a harm one’s child everywhere around them especially at home. On the other hand, children do not understand the danger; it is the responsibility of each parent to ensure their children are kept from all these dangers. This also help is keeping them in good health and well-being.

Question 2 – ranking principles

1st – principle 2

2nd – principle 4

3rd –  principle 5

4th –  principle 3

5th – principle 6

Question 3 Defending the ranking

Scenario

Sarah tells her mother that she wants to visit her friend’s Rana house. There is a pool in Rana’s family and so Rana suggests that they should both go swimming. Sarah’s mother had warned her against swimming when there are no adults around them (Scholastic news, 2010). There are no parents at Rana’s place. Principle 2 is ranked first because the children’s safety should be given a priority. Sarah’s mother is aware that something bad can happen to her when she is inside the pool in the absence of an adult.

Question 4

In the field of early childhood, leaders, as well as the teachers, should adhere to all the ethical principles. First, it is the responsibilities of the leaders to safeguard the children’s development and awareness. Observing the principles of ethics defines the overall aims of the leaders and teachers towards the children. Keeping all these principles describes a reasonable standard of childcare practice which is above the acceptable minimum (Bredekamp, 2017). Leaders and teachers most of the time work directly with the children and the young people and therefore have the privilege to access them and their code of conducts and are in an excellent position to power them. Leaders should keep a good relationship with the children, family, community and ensure the highest level of professionalism to ensure that the well-being of the children is enhanced collectively.

 

References

Bredekamp. (2017). Effective practices in early childhood education, 3rd ed. Retrieved from Pearson.

NAEYEC. (2011). code of ethical conduct. Retrieved from Supplement for Early Childhood Program Administrators: https://www.naeyc.org/sites/default/files/globally-shared/downloads/PDFs/resources/position-statements/Supplement%20PS2011.pdf

Scholastic news. (2010, may 10). Scholastic news. Retrieved from Scholastic News Sticky Situation: http://news.scholastic.com/stickysituation/