Principles and Commitment

My code of ethics is based on some of the listed principles supported by the Division for Early Childhood. My first and most important commitment is based on the principle and guideline for practice III. “Responsive Family Centered Practices”. (DEC, 2000) I am committed to providing children and families with the proper resources and referrals based on their cultural background, beliefs and practices. I am also committed to improving the quality of life of children and families by providing support and training to enhance life skills. I will be open and accepting of children and families with special circumstances or challenges and provide them with the equal opportunity available to all. The Core Value “Recognize that children are best understood and supported in the context of family, culture, community, and society”. (NAEYC, 2005) represents my idea of promoting an open and welcoming environment for children and families from different walks of life, culture, belief system and values. And last but not the least, one of the greatest aspirations that I want to achieve is from one of the ethical responsibilities listed by the NAEYC which is, “To ensure that each child’s culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure are recognized and valued in the program.” (NAEYC, 2005) Our daycares and classrooms have become so diverse over the past few years. It is my duty as an adult and an educator to promote the unique differences of children and families in the areas of language, culture and physical attributes. It is my duty to model a behavior of acceptance of these differences for young children to emulate. I want to be able to educate not just children but also their families that my classroom is open to learning and preserving each of their rich heritage and that they will receive the support they need in order to preserve and share it with others.

References:
The Division for Early Childhood. (2000, August). Code of Ethics. Retrieved May26, 2010, from http://www.dec-sped.org/
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