Thanks Everyone!

Thank you Dr. E. and fellow classmates for providing an amazing ride as I begin this journey to furthering my education within the field of early childhood. The many discussions shared, various perspectives and positive outlooks on the success of this field was amazing. I look forward to continued study and working alongside a wonderful group of professionals who share the same passion and goals for making a difference in the lives of so many children and families we serve.

Code of Ethics

This is my week 7 assignment, which is to post three ideals from the NAEYC and DEC codes of ethics that are meaningful to me and to explain their significance to my professional life.

The NAEYC code of ethics states that “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…” (NAEYC, 2005). This Code is divided into four sections, addressing professional relationship ideals with 1) children, 2) families, 3) colleagues, and 4) the community and society.  I decided to choose one from the first, second, and fourth categories.

I-1.5 – To create and maintain safe and healthy settings that foster children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development and that respect their dignity and their contributions.

I chose this ideal, because I think that even if you don’t have knowledge on the latest early childhood research and resources, or own the latest and greatest toys or texts, that a safe and healthy setting is the least that any professional caregiver should be willing to offer young children.  

I-2.2- To develop relationships of mutual trust and create partnerships with the families we serve.

I chose this ideal, because the family is most important in the child’s life, and it is an honor for me to be chosen to be added into the team, and the least I can offer is to build trust and partnership through respect of their parenting position. Each child is an individual, and I need to get to know the family in order to best support the child.     

1-4.1 – To provide the community with high-quality early childhood care and education programs and services

One of my professional goals is for my daycare to offer the highest quality care that I possibly can. I have always desired to do this for my own personal ambition, as well as for the children and families. But this ideal being stated as an ideal for the community is interesting. I never before realized it, but how I treat my children, and how they grow up, will affect the entire community.

I also chose the following from the DEC code of ethics under Professional and Interpersonal Behavior:

1. We shall demonstrate in our behavior and language respect and appreciation for the unique value and human potential of each child.

I hope that I do this, both professionally and personally. And I could change “child” to the word  “person.” I believe that all people have great value and deserve respect. Just because a child is little, doesn’t mean they are any less human.

COURSE RESOURCES

Part 1: 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://www.fpg.unc.edu/~snapshots/snap33.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.

Part 2: 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:
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 video 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/about/
Click on "Mission/Vision" and "Guiding Principles and Beliefs" and read these statements.
Part 3: 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/main/about.cfm
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//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
Institute for Women’s Policy Research
http://www.iwpr.org/index.cfm
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.preknow.org/
Voices for America’s Children
http://www.voices.org/
The Erikson Institute
http://www.erikson.edu/
Part 4: Selected Professional Journals Available in the Walden Library
Tip: Use the A-to-Z e-journal list to search for specific journal titles. (Go to "How Do I...?", select "Tips for Specific Formats and Resources," and then "e-journals" to find this search interface.)
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

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:


Supporting Teachers, Strengthening Families, a NAEYC child abuse prevention initiative
www.naeyc.org/ecp/trainings/stsf


Strengthening Families Through Early Care and Education
www.strengtheningfamilies.net


Child Care Services Association "ensuring affordable, accessible, high quality child care for all young children and their families".
www.childcareservices.org