Unit 8 SeminarWhat are Ethics?

Please chat with classmates informally until our seminar begins.

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching.”

~ author unknown

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After completing this unit, you should be able to: •Identify which ethical codes govern professionals who work in the field of early childhood development

•Explain the main reasons why ethical codes are important

Course outcomes practiced in this unit: •Identify early childhood professional roles, responsibilities, and standards

SEMINAR AGENDA

• Ethics

• Professionalism

• The NAEYC Code of Ethics

• Ethical Dilemmas

• Weekly To-Do List

• Reflection

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//When you hear the word ethics, what do you think of?

What are Ethics?

Ethics– Determine Right and Wrong – The Golden Rule – “Do unto others as you would have them

do unto you.”– The Ten Commandments - “ Honor thy Mother and Father”.– *Norms of conduct that distinguish between acceptable and

unacceptable behavior

Let’s Consider:

-- Why we must consider ethical standards of conduct.

-- Professionalism

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Values Qualities or principles that individuals believe to be desirable or worthwhile and that they prize for themselves and for the world in which they live.

Core Values Commitments held by a profession that are consciously and knowingly embraced

Ethics The study of right and wrong, or duty and obligation

Professional Ethics The moral commitments of a profession that help individuals resolve moral dilemmas they encounter in their work. They involve moral reflection that extends and enhances the personal morality practitioners bring to their work, concern actions of right and wrong in the workplace.

Ethical Dilemma A moral conflict that involves determining appropriate conduct when an individual faces conflicting professional values andresponsibilities.

Sources for glossary terms and definitionsFeeney, S., & N. Freeman. 1999. Ethics and the early childhoodeducator: Using the NAEYC code. Washington, DC: NAEYC.Kidder, R.M. 1995. How good people make tough choices:Resolving the dilemmas of ethical living. New York: Fireside.Kipnis, K. 1987. How to discuss professional ethics. YoungChildren 42 (4): 26–30.

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“A professional is a person who does his best at a time when he doesn't particularly feel like it.”     -Alistair Cooke

1. //What is professionalism?

2. //What are some of the characteristics of an early childhood professional?

Ethics in Early Childhood Education

Professional Conduct in Early Childhood• NAEYC Code of Ethics

Preamble: NAEYC recognizes that those who work with young children face many daily decisions that have moral and ethical implications. The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct offers guidelines for responsible behavior and sets forth a common basis for resolving the principal ethical dilemmas encountered in early childhood care and education. The primary focus of the Code is on daily practice with children and their families in programs for children from birth through 8 years of age, such as infant/toddler programs, preschool and prekindergarten programs, child care centers, hospital and child life settings, family childcare homes, kindergartens, and primary classrooms.

Thus, NAEYC sets rules and guidelines for professional behavior in our field.

NAEYC developed this “living code” after considering some CORE VALUES in our field. //What might one Core Value be in the field of early childhood education?

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NAEYC Core Values

• Appreciate childhood as a unique and valuable stageof the human life cycle• Base our work on knowledge of how children developand learn• Appreciate and support the bond between the childand family• Recognize that children are best understood andsupported in the context of family, culture,* community,and society• Respect the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of eachindividual (child, family member, and colleague)• Respect diversity in children, families, and colleagues• Recognize that children and adults achieve their fullpotential in the context of relationships that are basedon trust and respect

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Ethical Dilemma:

You teach in a school that has a population from a culture in which physical punishment is common. This morning a girl from this cultural group strikes another child. A new aide who shares the child's culture grabs him and twists his ear. The child is momentarily stunned but soon is fine and seems calm the rest of the day. Apart from some redness, there are no other effects. When you speak with the aide, she tells you children in her community are used to this discipline. She says, "It calmed him down, didn't it?"The issue: Do you tell the aide that physical punishment is not acceptable in your class OR do you let it go?-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NAEYC Code of EthicsMade up of Core Values, Ideals and Principles

View the code

http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

//How does P-1.1 on page 3 relate to this scenario?

Field Trip:NAEYC Code of Ethics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXSsx0AB-b4&feature=related

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//Why is it important to have a code of ethics in our field? Return in 10 minutes to post two ideas that you learn from this clip.

Why is the NAEYC Code important?

• Offers guidelines for responsible behavior

• Sets forth a common basis for resolving the principal ethical dilemmas encountered in early education & care

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Ethical Dilemmas

Ethical dilemmas are disagreements in how to proceed or act (such as corporal punishment).

These occur when your ethical beliefs and the beliefs of others do not coincide. You may come across situations where your ethical views are different from the law or what is legal. You may also encounter differences between

the beliefs of your parents and the

beliefs held by the agency you work for.

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You Be The Judge #1

You are a toddler teacher. One student's mother comes to pick up her child and drive him home. From her slurred speech and clumsy movements, you suspect that she has been drinking heavily after work.

The issue: Do you refuse to let the parent take the child and ask her to call someone else to drive OR do you let her drive the child home?

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You Be The Judge #2

One of your parents is complaining about nap time. She does not want her son to take a nap because she is having difficulty getting him to bed at night. You know that three year olds need to rest in the middle of the day and naps are the policy of your center. How do you react?

//Post your ideas firstNow, visit this link. Return after 8 minutes to add a key

point that you learned.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDEvTr5At1M

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To-Do This Week

• Readings (NAECY Code of Conduct)• Discussion Board Read a scenario, refer to NAEYC Code of Conduct

and discuss applicable principles

• All Work is due by Tuesday 11:59 p.m., ET

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Any Questions?

Thanks for attending Tonight!

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