Codes of Ethics: Professional Codes to Live By

As a an emerging professional in the field of early childhood education we have codes that are the platforms in our day to day interactions with the children and families that we serve as well as the guiding forces in how we represent the field. I looked at the code of ethics from the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) and from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). From these two documents there were three codes that stood out to me.

1. Enhancement of Children's and Families' Quality of Lives (DEC)
    This is important to me because it is the reason why I choose this field. As an emerging professional it is my responsibility to enhance and improve the lives of the children and families I come into contact with. I am here to help them to reach their full potential.

2. Ideal 1.1 (NAEYC)
   "To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training".
This ideal is why I enrolled in the Masters program. I feel in order for me to be a leader and outstanding professional in this field I must grow in my knowledge and stay current.

3. Ideal 1.9 (NAEYC)
   "To advocate for and ensure that all children, including those with special needs, have access to the support services needed to be successful"
In my senior seminar class my professor continued to use a phrase "to help them to reach their full potential". Since then I always keep this in my mind. I aim to help both children and families to meet their full potential. I have also taken a great interest into children with special needs and know the importance of all children to reach their potential no matter what.


Just a side note:
This class and blog has introduced me to my hidden passion to work with special needs children and families. I have also been exposed to multiple resources and networks. I have become a member of the NAEYC, learned about advocacy, and what it takes to me a leader in this field. I am on a journey of professional growth and becoming an emerging leader and advocate in the field of early childhood. My craving for knowledge in this field continues to grow and I hope that it never fully gets fulfilled.

Know Your Field. Learn New Information. Explore Your Resources.:Early Childhood Resources and More

I've learned this week the value of resource. After exploring different early childhood sites, journals, and articles I have discovered my own hidden desires for the field and became a member of NAEYC. Besides the numerous resources provided to us for week 5 of class there are others that I found to be wonderful, useful resources, and tools.

My Plate
www.MYplate.gov 
 My Plate is where you can go for nutrition. These days fast food is easy to come by and the dollar menu is cheap and easy. However, with My Plate you can get healthy eating habits and tips and ways to make eating fun and interesting with the children. Having good eating habits starts young.

California Department of Education
www.cde.ca.gov
The California Department of Education is a great place to find out the standards and any new changes that have been made regarding educational requirements for the state of California. There are also additional resources and tools that are accessable. 

Get Active! Let's Move
 www.letsmove.gov
This website provides ways to help children get and stay active. Daily activity is important for children and helps them to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I am a big advocate for healthy and active children.

Below are more Resources:
 

Position Statements and Influential Practices

• NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Readiness.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on responding to linguistic and cultural diversity. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/diversity.pdf
• NAEYC. (2003). Early childhood curriculum, assessment, and program evaluation: Building an effective, accountable system in programs for children birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/pscape.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_ECSummary_A.pdf
• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2010). Infant-toddler policy agenda. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_infanttodller
• FPG Child Development Institute. (2006, September). Evidence-based practice empowers early childhood professionals and families. (FPG Snapshot, No. 33). Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://community.fpg.unc.edu/sites/community.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/FPG_Snapshot_N33_EvidenceBasedPractice_09-2006.pdf
  
  Note: The following article can be found in the Walden University Library databases.
• Turnbull, A., Zuna, N., Hong, J. Y., Hu, X., Kyzar, K., Obremski, S., et al. (2010). Knowledge-to-action guides. Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(3), 42-53.
  Use the Academic Search Complete database, and search using the article's title.

Global Support for Children's Rights and Well-Being

• Article: UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf
• Websites:

o     

• World Forum Foundation
  http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us
  This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the media segment on this webpage
• World Organization for Early Childhood Education
  http://www.omep-usnc.org/
  Read about OMEP's mission.
• Association for Childhood Education International
  http://acei.org/
  Click on "Mission/Vision" and "Guiding Principles and Beliefs" and read these statements.

Selected Early Childhood Organizations

• National Association for the Education of Young Children
  http://www.naeyc.org/
• The Division for Early Childhood
  http://www.dec-sped.org/
• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
  http://www.zerotothree.org/
• WESTED
  http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm
• Harvard Education Letter
  http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85
• FPG Child Development Institute
  http://www.fpg.unc.edu/
• Administration for Children and Families Headstart's National Research Conference
  http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/
• HighScope
  http://www.highscope.org/
• Children's Defense Fund
  http://www.childrensdefense.org/
• Center for Child Care Workforce
  http://www.ccw.org/
• Council for Exceptional Children
  http://www.cec.sped.org/
• Institute for Women's Policy Research
  http://www.iwpr.org/
• National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education
  http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/
• National Child Care Association
  http://www.nccanet.org/
• National Institute for Early Education Research
  http://nieer.org/
• Pre[K]Now
  http://www.pewstates.org/projects/pre-k-now-328067
• Voices for America's Children
  http://www.voices.org/
• The Erikson Institute
  http://www.erikson.edu/

Selected Professional Journals:

• YC Young Children
• Childhood
• Journal of Child & Family Studies
• Child Study Journal
• Multicultural Education
• Early Childhood Education Journal
• Journal of Early Childhood Research
• International Journal of Early Childhood
• Early Childhood Research Quarterly
• Developmental Psychology
• Social Studies
• Maternal & Child Health Journal
• International Journal of Early Years Education