Lesson 4

Lesson 4: Code of Ethical Conduct

Attention

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able

Students will explain the importance of the NAEYC Code of Ethics
Students will describe how the NAEYC Code of Ethics relates to their practicum
Students will process through ethical dilemmas using the NAEYC Code of Ethics

Teaching

Ethical dilemmas pop up in early childhood quite frequently. Just last week I learned that one of my clients is related to my son. What do you do about that? If I had known beforehand, I would not have been able to enroll the family on my caseload. However, I’ve been visiting them for two years and dis-enrolling them is not an option…....

Ethical dilemmas can be characterized as a complex situation where one has to choose between two options, both of which may be the “right thing to do” but in turn does not benefit the situation. If I were to continue with the family then it would be a conflict of interest. However, if I dis-enrolled the family then the family would no longer receive the support they desperately need.

In some professions, this is more cut and dry, but in Early Childhood, you will come up against situations like this time and time again. Ethical dilemmas test our morals and sometimes require a lot of guidance. Thankfully we aren’t going in blind and the National Association for Young Children created the Code of Ethical Conduct to offer early childhood educators guidelines for responsible behavior.
The Code of Conduct is an important document that you will refer to every time a dilemma pops up. It helps to tease out the real issue at hand and inform decision making in how to handle the dilemma.

Assessment

Lesson 4 Assignment

Read and familiarize yourself with the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. Be particularly thorough in Section I and III (assume your practicum site is your employer and your mentors are your co-workers).

For EACH section list the ideals and principles that are most relevant to you in your practicum site
Summarize how you are and will meet these ideals and principles. How does this align with the core values?

0 Points Did not list any ideals or principles	7 Points Listed 1-3 ideals and 1-3 principles in Ethical Responsibilities to Children	10 Points Listed 4-5 ideals and 4-5 principles in Ethical Responsibilities to Children	20 Points Listed at least 6 ideals and 6 principles in Ethical Responsibilities to Children
0 Points Did not list any ideals or principles	7 Points Listed1 ideals and 1-3 principles in Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues	10 Points Listed 2-3 ideals and 4-5 principles in Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues	20 Points Listed 4-5 ideals and 6-8 principles in Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues
0 Points Did not explain or provide alignment	10 Points Explanation has some detail with less than 5 examples. No description of alignment.	25 Points Explanation has some detail with at 5-9 examples. Brief description of alignment.	40 Points Clear, detailed explanation with at least 10 examples. Solid description of alignment.
	5 Points Contains more than 5 spelling and/or grammatical errors.	10 Points Contains 2-5 spelling and/or grammatical errors.	20 Points Contains less than 2 spelling and/or grammatical errors

Possible Class Discussion A

Describe an ethical dilemma you have encountered (be mindful of confidentiality) in early education. What were your emotions around this dilemma and how was it handled? Which Idea and Principle did this dilemma relate to? Now that you understand the Code of Conduct, is there anything you would have done differently?

Possible Class Discussion B

By the end of this week you should have been introduced or introduced yourself to all of the families. Please provide one specific example of an introduction. Tell us about who it was, what was going on during the time of the introduction, any emotions or thoughts about it. Etc.