Saturday, October 19, 2013

Blog Assignment: Examining Codes of Ethics



The three ideals contained in the NAEYC and DEC codes of ethics that are meaningful to me are:

NAEYC CODES

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.

In my field of work education I firmly believe that advocates are necessary not only for special-needs children, but also for gifted children. As educators we need to do our part in speaking or writing in support, on behalf, or in defense of a person or cause that we feel strongly about. Advocates are well versed in educational policies, legislation and regulations. Their expertise can educate and assist parents with children who may need additional attention in the classroom. The advocate works on behalf of the parents to develop, with the school, a more suitable education program for their child. As an advocate it is important that we work hard to help parents determine what supports and services are needed for their child to benefit from their education. Our job is to identify and effectively explain at school IEP meetings how a child’s disability hinders his ability to benefit from his education without special education, and help secure appropriate supports and services, modifications, and accommodations that will alleviate those hindrances.

I-2.3 - To welcome all family members and encourage them to participate in the program, including involvement in shared decision making.

I make it a point to do my part to see to it that parents participate fully. I make sure that parents have a clear understanding of the policy/structures in place to facilitate participation. Building partnership is a daily process based on ongoing communications and dealing with issues as they arise. In recognition that parents are the primary educators of their children and have a life-long relationship with them, effective programs of parental involvement are essential to enable them to support their children to be cared for and educated to the highest standard. Such involvement is beneficial to parents as it builds on their knowledge of child development and helps to support them in their parenting skills. In turn, parents are needed by the childcare setting if children are to optimize their cognitive, emotional and social learning. In effective childcare settings, practitioners find a real help in the presence of parents and in a good relationship with them. Each brings their own competence to educate the child and this requires mutual respect and understanding.

I-3B.1 - To assist the program in providing the highest quality of service.
 
Child care has become an essential component of life in our society. Quality child care can make a significant difference in children's development. As childcare providers we need to be warm and caring, and be attentive to and respectful of children's individual needs. As educators it is extremely important that we be culturally sensitive and accepting of differences in ethnic backgrounds and customs. When it comes to discipline the provider should discipline children in positive ways, teaching social skills, instead of blaming, criticizing, or punishing. Children need child care providers who will speak to them and actively encourage them to respond. Forming positive relationships between the caregiver and the parent and the caregiver and the child is essential to providing quality care. A parent needs to feel free to visit the child care program at all times and needs to be notified and made aware of any problems that arise. A parent must feel free to discuss any concerns with the care giver. Equally important for parents are knowing what happens in the day to day occurrences in the life of their child, and having a sense that their child is important to the child care provider.

DEC CODES

We shall build relationships with individual children and families while individualizing the curricula and learning environments to facilitate young children’s development and learning.

By collaborating and establishing positive relationships with families, this will enable you to gain parent trust and respect as you interact with their child. Parents will feel comfortable in talking to you about any issues and concerns they may have about their child and accept your professional opinion. Another important factor to remember when building relationships with families is that they will actively participate in any events or experiences in your center and become more involved in the programming and planning.
 
Through trusting relationships with adults, young children learn about their world and their place in it. They learn the world is safe and responsive to their needs. They learn to form satisfying relationships with others, to communicate, to face challenges, and to experience and regulate their emotions. Supporting a child’s healthy social and emotional growth takes commitment from all primary caregivers in the child’s life. This includes mothers, fathers, grandparents, child care providers and other key adults in the child’s life. It’s important to remember that young children observe our relationships, and what they observe shapes their expectations for how people treat each other and, therefore, shapes their developing social skills and emotional competence. Since relationships are constantly adjusting to changes in development, we need to understand the course of social emotional development.

We shall be responsible for protecting the confidentiality of the children and families we serve by protecting all forms of verbal, written, and electronic communication.

The staffs of child care and preschool facilities come into contact with confidential and personal information about children and families. In order to make sure your family's personal information is kept private and used in a professional manner, it is important to ask the staff members about their confidentiality policies. Confidentiality agreements are an essential component in establishing this trust. Confidentiality agreements should be established by child care facilities in order to ensure that confidential information regarding children families, personnel and operations records are used only as required in the performance of employment duties. One of the primary responsibilities of the child care organization is to keep this information confidential and privileged at all times.

The benefits of establishing a confidentiality agreement impact families and staff. Such agreements aid teachers and directors in developing a positive relationship with parents, which helps establish trust and a continuing partnership with families. It is essential that families know their information will only be accessible to and used by authorized individuals for the benefit of their child. When parents and child care staff are respectful and mutually work toward bettering young lives, the children and families will see significant benefits. A client's right to privacy should be prioritized by the administration; make sure you are comfortable with the center's policies and that all your questions are answered.
We shall honor and respect the diverse backgrounds of our colleagues including such diverse characteristics as sexual orientation, race, national origin, religious beliefs, or other affiliations.

The management of diversity can be considered a response to the need to recognize, respect and capitalize on the different backgrounds in our society in terms of race, ethnicity and gender. When diverse individuals in a company or organization can work together, production increases and it results in a more positive work environment. I view each individual as unique and as being able to contribute something positive to the company or organization. I recognize that each person on my team or in my center has talent and ideas that can make my company grow for the better. When different points of view come together on a project or idea the end result will be better thought out and detailed than if only one group of similar individuals works on it. Services should be available to everyone who is entitled to them and should be free from any form of discrimination irrespective of a person’s country of birth, language, culture, race or religion. This means that any barriers to access should be removed. We must ensure that all people are given the opportunity to access and participate fully in programs and services and to achieve equitable outcomes.

Resources:

NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

The Division for Early Childhood, (2000. August). Code of ethics. Retrieved May 26, 2010. from http://www.dec-sped.org/

 

 

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