Examining Codes of Ethics

NAEYC principle P-1.1. "Above all, we shall not harm children. We shall not participate in practices that are emotionally damaging, physically harmful, disrespectful, degrading, dangerous, exploitative, or intimidating to children. This principal has precedence over all others in this code." (NAEYC, 2005, April) The principles listed to support the ethical responsibilities we have to children immediately reveal the complex and sometimes frightening nature of an early childhood professional. We work with young children and families because we love them, plain and simple. Yet, in too many of the child care centers I visit, I hear harsh or belittling language, even sarcasm spoken to children. I hear staff talk about the children's parents in a less-than-supportive manner within earshot of the children. I observe rolling eyes when a child has a toileting accident, or spills food, or even touches the floor after washing his hands before lunch. This behavior covers all of the harm described above, with the exception of physical harm. These environments are licensed centers and Head Start programs, and are full of harmful influences. State licensing continues to overlook this behavior in preparing inspection reports, and Head Start employees appeal to their union to protect them from dismissal from their jobs as teachers, assistant teachers and food service staff. How might monitoring agencies correct or eliminate harmful attitudes? Perhaps training in NAEYC Code of Conduct for all early childhood programs is a strategy needing an advocacy push.

Sometimes, the ideals addressing the reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect run counter to the employer's policy regarding such reporting. (P-1.8 through P-1.11 describe ethical conduct about reporting suspected abuse or neglect.) The Ideals of Responsibilities to Employers in Section III B specify that laws and regulations designed to protect children override program policies, and that "one should do nothing to diminish the reputation of the employer, unless the program is violating child protection laws." (NAEYC, 2005, April.) Here is where an early childhood professional must advocate for children regardless of the personal consequences. This is where morality meets ethics. Has anyone else been at this crossroad? It is truly a sad and scary place to be, when the employer denies the appearance of abuse or neglect, and requires the reporting staff to ignore their observations and concerns.

Both DEC and NAEYC Codes address the ethical responsibilities to collaborative agencies, and this concept is truly in the best interest of children, providing a safety net of services that is strong and tightly woven. Once again, however, early childhood professionals sometimes find the politics of authority and funding to be a barrier to collaboration. In the examples above, licensing and Head Start monitoring agencies may not always act in the best interest of children when they consider the needs and wants of the adults before those of the children. Remember those wonderful words of Renatta M. Cooper, "This can never be about you." . (Professionalism, Advocacy, and Leadership in Early Childhood). This quote would be a very appropriate title for these collections of ethics.

I am convinced that this will be a focus of my future advocacy efforts,
to actively and purposefully teach these ethics in my daily communications with early childhood caregivers.


Resources

Video Program: "Professionalism, Advocacy, and Leadership in Early Childhood"

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/