NAEYC Code of Ethical Condct and Statement of Commitment

NAEYC

Code of Ethical Conduct

and Statement of Commitment

 

Core Values

• Appreciate childhood as a unique and valuable stage

of the human life cycle

 

• Base our work on knowledge of how children develop

and learn

 

• Appreciate and support the bond between the child

and family

• Recognize that children are best understood and

supported in the context of family, culture,* community,

and society

 

• Respect the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each

individual (child, family member, and colleague)

 

• Respect diversity in children, families, and colleagues

• Recognize that children and adults achieve their full

potential in the context of relationships that are based

on trust and respect

 

* The term culture includes ethnicity, racial identity, economic

level, family structure, language, and religious and political

beliefs, which profoundly influence each child’s development

and relationship to the world.

 

Ethical Responsibilities to Children

 

Childhood is a unique and valuable stage in the

human life cycle. Our paramount responsibility is to

provide care and education in settings that are safe,

healthy, nurturing, and responsive for each child. We

are committed to supporting children’s development

and learning; respecting individual differences; and

helping children learn to live, play, and work cooperatively.

We are also committed to promoting

children’s self-awareness, competence, self-worth,

resiliency, and physical well-being.

 

DEC Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children is a public statement of principles and practice guidelines supported by the mission of DEC.

Responsive Family Centered Practices

1. We shall demonstrate our respect and appreciation for all families’ beliefs, values, customs,

languages, and culture relative to their nurturance and support of their children toward achieving

meaningful and relevant priorities and outcomes families’ desire for themselves and their children.

2. We shall provide services and supports to children and families in a fair and equitable manner

while respecting families’ culture, race, language, socioeconomic status, marital status, and

sexual orientation.

 

3. 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.

 

4. We shall empower families with information and resources so that they are informed consumers

of services for their children.

 

5. We shall collaborate with families and colleagues in setting meaningful and relevant goals and

priorities throughout the intervention process including the full disclosure of the nature, risk, and

potential outcomes of any interventions.

 

6. We shall respect families’ rights to choose or refuse early childhood special education or related

services.

 

7. We shall be responsible for protecting the confidentiality of the children and families we serve by

protecting all forms of verbal, written, and electronic communication








I chose these three ideals contained in the NAEYC and DEC codes of ethics because in my professional life, adults seem to put themselves in a different category than children. As if, children are subhuman with no feelings or personalities of their own. I have seen both parents and educational staff treat children disrespectfully and families. Respect, honor, understanding of culture, and patience towards children and families go a long way. It helps children and families to be less intimidated and feel like genuinely understood or cared about. Love for, and even passion of teaching children, helps families to reach their potential holistically. This relationship will help children succeed in not only school but life. I am a firm believer of  "it takes a village to raise a child" but the villagers all have to be on the same page and speak the same language.