Ideals from NAEYC's Code of Ethical Conduct

The following ideals are taken from the Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment of the National Association for the Education of Young Children

Revised April 2005

  

Ethical Responsibilities to Children

I-1.4—To appreciate the vulnerability of children and their dependence on adults

Significance to my professional life: the very nature of the children in my care can be described as vulnerable and dependent—they are only 5 years old or younger. Also, we as adults are to advocate for children. After all, as professionals in the field of early childhood, we are to be a voice for the voiceless.

Ethical Responsibilities to families

I-2.8—To help family members enhance their understanding of their children and support the continuing development of their skills as parents

Significance to my professional life: One of my professional goals is to lead and instruct parents in their understanding of their children and to teach strategies and techniques that will add to a parent’s tool box of as they become more comfortable and confident in their parenting skills.

Ethical Responsibilities to community and society

I-4.5—To work to ensure that appropriate assessment systems, which include multiple sources of information, are used for purposes that benefit children

Significance to my professional life: Assessment systems are necessary to monitor the academic growth of children. I appreciate this ideal because it states that while assessment is helpful and required, appropriate assessment systems will include multiple sources of information.

Resource:

Article: 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