What is Ethical behaviour? According to buisnessdictionary.com it is defined as “acting in ways consistent with what society and individuals typically think are good values.  Ethical behaviour tends to be good for business and involves demonstrating respect for key moral principles that include honesty, fairness, equality, dignity, diversity and individual rights.”
In working with young children, the quality of the educator’s relationship with such a vulnerable group is significant and leaves lasting impression on their lives. It is for this reason that an early childhood educator must recognize their ethical obligations to the children and their families in their care.  It is when developing one’s own child care philosophy I believe that ethics should be at the forefront in examination of one’s values, biases and personal understanding of children.
The Code of Ethics directs and guides our practice and outlines eight specific principles that are as follows:
- Early childhood educators promote the health and well-being of all children.
- Early childhood educators use developmentally appropriate practices when working with all children.
- Early childhood educators demonstrate caring for all children in all aspects of their practice.
- Early childhood educators work in partnership with parents, sup- porting them in meeting their responsibilities to their children.
- Early childhood educators work in partnership with colleagues and other service providers in the community to support the well- being of families.
- Early childhood educators work in ways that enhance human dignity.
- Early childhood educators pursue, on an ongoing basis, the knowledge, skills, and self-aware- ness needed to be professionally competent.
- Early childhood educators demonstrate integrity in all of their professional relationships.
In understanding that an ECE must be committed to the highest standard of practice and ensure that no harm will come to the children in their care, it is advised that they prepare themselves in knowing the ethical decision-making process is made quickly and can be influenced by our social group.
I would like to believe that behaving ethically is hard wired into an educator’s psyche at all times when working with small children, however this is not the case and there is the occasional “error” in judgement. It is this potential for unintentional error  I believe that an ECE must encourage themselves to monitor their professional practice to ensure they are meeting the highest standard of ethics at all times.
It is here where their commitment to high standards mustn’t allow for themselves to fall victim to inappropriate workplace culture, incorrect beliefs about children and poor role modelling. It isn’t surprising to learn  that educators will encounter colleagues that engage in unethical behaviour and practice harmful guidance strategies. It is in these encounters that an educator must adhere to their own values despite the expectation of others and the potential of being shunned by their social group – a “moral rebel”. Factors such as high self-esteem, low levels of influence from others and determination to do what is good plays a role in an educator’s journey in becoming “moral rebel”.
Fortunately, there are strategies that an ECE can use to encourage and regain their professional ethics  should they find it has eluded them for a moment. A recommended strategy is using a “narrative reflection” such as personal non-fiction short story and proprioceptive writing (mindfulness journaling for reflecting).
It is here that I encourage all ECEs to adhere to their best ethical practice in supporting the health and well-being of both children and families in the hopes for a better tomorrow! 🙂
References
Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia. (2008) Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia: Code of Ethics(6th ed.) Vancouver, BC: Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia
Early Childhood Educators of BC. (2018) Membership. Retrieved from http://www.ecebc.ca/resources/journal/2018_Summer/p7_rules.pdf
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