Examining Codes of Ethics

In this week’s blog I intend to discuss three ideals contained in the codes of ethics for both NAEYC and DEC and why I was drawn to these statements. It has truly been a an interesting eight weeks and I am a little nervous to see what the ECS’s program has is store.
Before I present my choices I have to say that it was a very difficult decision to because all the ideals and principles are significant to my professional career. I have chosen to combine the ideals and answer them simultaneously. It is also very important to note that the focus of my answers to this blog will be on my mother’s educational facility. As stated in previous blogs and assignments, she is the reason for my career decision and my survival in early childhood education to date. She is my advisor and a willing participant in this process.
I hope you can appreciate my thoughts on the following ideals:
NAEYC
Section I- Ideal 1.1
“To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training.”
DEC ( Ethical Practice in Research)
“We shall conduct on-going research and field work that is consistent with and builds upon the available cadre of evidence based practices.”
My mother is currently taking her staff through NAEYC training and whenever possible, I visit and participate. The whole idea of training and re-training is to stay informed and also to learn about the advances your field of expertise. We have discussed staying informed on several occasions during our tenure in this course and it really cannot be stressed enough. There is a verse in a song that says, “Man that knows something knows that he knows nothing at all.” This is not to say that knowledgeable people are ignorant; it is the opposite. An individual who is seeking truth and knowledge knows that you will never know everything, which is why he/she understands that knowledge is a lifelong path worthy of travel.
NAEYC
Section II- Ideal 2.3
“To welcome all family members and encourage them to participate in the program.”

DEC (Responsive Family Centered Practices)
“We shall respect, value, promote, and encourage the active participation of ALL families by engaging families in meaningful ways in the assessment and intervention processes.”
My mother offers parent workshops to her families and has established mandatory volunteer time. At first, many families were not receptive to the idea of having to volunteer and felt that they should not be ‘forced’ to volunteer. Although mandatory volunteer time sounds like an oxymoron, it is a key piece in child development that should not be forgotten. When the families realized that it helped the child/children acclimate to the learning environment they quickly became fixtures in the school. This is an element that I will incorporate in my learning center because volunteer time promotes bonding and plays a key role in the productivity of the school.

NAEYC
Section II- Ideal 2.5
“To respect the dignity and preferences of each family and to make an effort to learn about its structure, culture, language, customs, and beliefs.”

DEC (Responsive Family Centered practices)
“We shall demonstrate our respect and appreciation for all families’ beliefs, values, customs, languages, and culture relative to their nurturance and support their children toward achieving meaningful and relevant priorities and outcomes families’ desire for themselves and their children.”
My mother’s facilities as well as my daughter’s school annually hold an event called “international Night”. This is a night where everyone brings in a dish particular to their culture or traditions for the school community to share and families even wear their traditional clothes and tradition music can be heard throughout the school. This event is very successful because it unites the school community and allows everyone to feel comfortable with and share facts about their country and/or customs.

References
NAEYC. (2005). Codes 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). Codes of ethics. Retrieved May 26, 2010 http:www.dec-sped.org/