Ethics: Understanding Your Responsibility to Children
NAEYC Ethical Tutorial
The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
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.
NAEYC Principles:
P-1.1 - Above all, we shall not harm children. This principle has precedence over all others in this code.
Terms to Remember
Ethics is about how to act responsibly and thoughtfully
Ideals are your highest goals that guide you
Principles decide what you should or should not do to reach these goals
Understanding the Code
Throughout the tutorial, you'll be referring to the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct document. NAEYC has developed a set of standards to help you determine the ethical, professional response to difficult but common situations.
Before Starting the tutorial on the next tab, grab your copy or print a copy of the Ethical Code, and take sometime to review the NAEYC Code of Ethical Standards and Core Values.
Link to the NAEYC Ethical Code:
http://www.naeyc.org/positionstatements/ethical_conduct
You will be able to select an English or Spanish version of the Code once the link is opened.
Core values
Standards of ethical behavior in early childhood care and education are based on commitment to the following core values that are deeply rooted in the history of the field of early childhood care and education.
