After reading both the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Division for Early Childhood code of ethics I found each principle to be quite meaningful. Out of everything, the following three stuck out the most-
From the DEC code of ethics:
III Responsive Family Centered Practices-This principle outlines how we as educators need to keep each family in mind. From an educational aspect, in regards to the child's well being, educational path, and guidance, from a cultural aspect by making sure to address and not ignore or exclude anyone as long as it is relevant and respectful. As an educator or child care professional you are to work with the family to ensure that the child receives the best education and care imaginable. In regards to my professional life this principle is important to me because I absolutely love learning more about my families and incorporating suggestions from the parents as well as different aspects from different cultural backgrounds into my lesson plans. Between learning "Gung Hay Fat Choi" for Chinese New Year for one student or teaching them how to play dreidel for m&ms during Hanukkah, talking to my class parents about their cultural background is especially important for me bc it helps to bring the families closer to the classroom and that makes the child enjoy their school experience more. It also helps the parents to trust us as leaders more when we incorporate their lives and as for their input and help in the classroom. In my experience being closer to the parent also helps us to understand our kids better. Extending a friendly arm to a parent makes them more comfortable, instead of having a child crying in class all day without any explanation, if a parent is comfortable with us they might let us know said child woke up at 4am bc of a younger sibling and has been awake and angry. The closer you are to your families, the easier the daily tasks with each child get.
IV Ethical And Evidence Based Practices
This principle is about using research and proven evidence to aid you along your path guiding children and families through early education. Nothing should be done on a whim, especially not with the vast amount of resources available at our fingertips. This principle spoke to me because I am always doing research. I find myself constantly looking up certain behaviors that I don't understand and techniques to better help the children in my care. It's interesting to learn about previous cases where other professionals dealt with the same issues your dealing with and were able to come up with suggestions that you didn't even think of.
From the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct:
Section 1: Ethical Responsibilities to Children-
This principle is about knowing how to best help the children in your care. From knowing your stuff to knowing how to properly care for them and understand them. You have to make sure you are providing a healthy, educational, comfortable setting. Always remember that the child comes first, you have to teach in a way that they will understand and keep trying until they grasp the concept. This principle was meaningful to me because my first year co-teaching kindergarten in a public school we had a student straight from the mountains in the Dominican Republic that couldn't even speak English, his mother stayed in DR, and his father didn't know how to help us help him. I had to dig into all of my Spanish language knowledge, step in the bathroom to google certain terms, figure out how he would be able to learn in this classroom and everything I did the head teacher did times five. By the end of the year he was at the top of the class, writing in English, speaking fluently in English, and laughing at my horrible Spanish accent. Our duty is to make each child want to be in school and to continue learning.
Resources -
1. Article: NAEYC. (2005, April). <u> Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment </u>. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/files/NAEYC/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf
2. Article: The Division for Early Childhood. (2000, August). <u> Code if ethics </u>. Retrieved from http://www.dec-sped.org
Hi Sherria
ReplyDeleteYes, it can be difficult at times when, having children and their families speak another language. It was good you had back – up. This is only my opinion, as an early childhood professional, I think it’s good to learn a second language. I’m brushing up on Spanish at the present time. Again, I agree that children can and will learn in an environment that’s full of love, safe and secure, and warmth. Also, as early childhood professionals it our duty to find resources that best suit the children’s learning and share it with their parents, well as our colleagues due to they may have a student that’s not grapping his / her learning.