August 10, 2020
Childhood educators and caregivers alike can speak to the many delights in working with small children, but they can also speak to the day-to-day challenges that they face from managing spirited behaviour, irritability and crying to name just a few. We must not forget this is in combination with having to deal with the demands and expectations of the parents of these children whom may all have unique needs and not to mention the low pay! Managing a day in and day out in the field of early childhood care can be physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting leaving the care provider depleted of energy. It is in these moments that an educator may have a lapse in judgement and do what is easiest and at times not best for the child. It is in these moments that a care provider must take pause and refer to the principles of behaving in an ethical manner to ensure that their conduct is right and correct.
I would like to believe that all early childhood educators and/or caregivers provide nurturing environments that are supportive in both safety and in the health and well-being of young children at all times! It is in this environment that the children are provided the best opportunities to grow into physically, socially, cognitively and emotionally well-adjusted human beings. I strongly believe and support that all educators are obligated to ensure no harm comes to the child in forms of degradation, humiliation, physical injury or fear and they ensure that the child’s best interest is always at the forefront.
I recently had a difficult “encounter” with a child’s behaviour which included the child in slamming doors, spitting and yelling at me because the child was asked not to climb on top of the pantry cupboards. I found it emotionally exhausting to manage the child’s needs at the time having spent two hours in heat of the day chasing grasshoppers – I wanted to quit right then and there! However, I took the moment to collect my frustration and walk away. It is upon my personal reflection of this day that I can appreciate that there is room for human error when making a decision in difficult situations – never react, take time to pause and think!! Reflecting back to this day and questioning if the situation was either an ethical responsibility or dilemma, I believe it was neither, it was a “workplace” issue. I did not have to rely on a lengthy thought process in how to resolve the situation, I simply had rules that I could apply for a resolution and there was no harm unto the child.
It is of my opinion, that when one works within the scope of early childhood education and/or care one will most certainly be faced with an ethical dilemma at one time or another. The dilemma will require much thought and deliberation in order to come to a resolution. The resolution will not come easily and will involve actions that have benefits but also have some costs to either the individual and/or group as a whole.
In my own “practice” I believe that I conduct myself in an ethically responsible way as I do not participate in nor tolerate any type of harm that will come to a child in any form such as disrespect, humiliation, exploitative in nature or causing physical or emotional injury.
In understanding the difference between ethical responsibility and ethical dilemma, I believe it will aid early childhood educators and/or caregivers in making the best decision(s) for all those involved and most importantly for the child.