Three ideals contained in the codes of ethics that are meaningful and significant in one's professional life are: Professional collaboration; ethical responsibilities to children; and ethical responsibilities to families.
Effective communication among parents, families and colleagues will result in active professional collaboration, although it can be critical and challenging in the process. However, one's monitoring and supervising practices will be improved, so as to bring about changes that is needed in the school. Parties involved have the opportunity to share knowledge for better understanding of strategies, that will be more successful in matching situations, or individual child. Colleagues, professionals, and families must value the contributions that each brings to the table, by incorporating the developmental needs of children and their families into the system. Collaboration also entails recognizing colleagues and families' strengths and individuality, and respect the various methods of coping.
Ethical responsibilities to children is from one's personal commitment on the part of an early childhood educator. The welfare of these children and their families will be held paramount, as they are being served, regardless of socio economic status, race gender, values, national origin, or disabilities. Their privacy must be respected, and confidentiality of information maintained. Demonstration of professional responsibility to protect children from harm, abuse, or neglect will be exhibited, as well as concern for their health, safety, and happiness, since professional standard requires what is best for the children in one's care. Also, it pays to be a good role model, and example for the children being served, because one might be the only readily available source of support, concern, and caring for many children.
Families and early childhood practitioner have a common interest in the child's well-being, since it calls for building mutual trust, communicating children's progress in developmentally appropriate terms, and the rights of families to participate in decisions that affect their child. One's ethical responsibilities include a variety of family support programs, by having scheduled conferences among parents, families, and teachers. Communicating with integrity, honesty, and respect help to build a trusting, positive relationship with families.Opportunities will be provided frequently for families to air their concerns, ask questions, make visits, and to call when issues concerning their children arise. As educators in the early childhood field, confidentiality has to be practiced when dealing with children's record and information.
REFERENCE:
NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment.
The Division of Early Childhood. (2000, August). Code of ethics. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from
http://www.dec-sped.org/
