Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment
Working with children is a challenge requiring specialized knowledge and skills. This task is complicated by the presence of a large number of ethical dilemmas. The main principles of responsible behavior with children are reflected in The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. It sets the ground for solving essential ethical dilemmas. Such issues occur in childhood or during primary education. The text presents the fundamental values. They must be adhered to when working with children. The original idea is to provide care and education in a safe environment.
The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct consists of three sections. In the first section, it is possible to learn more about the ethical responsibilities of those who work with children. The ambiance of the educational process should not harm children’s health (National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2011). The purpose of education is the support a child’s development. The actions of those who work with children should comply with a child’s self-awareness and physical well-being. The second section is called Ethical Responsibilities to Families. This part provides the principles and ideals of the family’s role. The third section is Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues (National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2011). It presents the importance of an adequately organized cooperative workplace in supporting productive work and meeting professional needs.
Ethical Dilemma
The primary purpose of the Code of Ethics is to establish fundamental rights and obligations. They appear from the features of professional engagement. It includes resolving problems and conflict situations that arise in the process of education. Ethical dilemmas are understood as situations that require making a choice (Feeney & Freeman, 2016). Compliance with one ethical principle, rule, or moral requirement prevents the observance of another ethical principle. The dilemma is the choice of one of the two ideas. It might be difficult to select one of the alternatives (Feeney & Freeman, 2016). In a normal situation, a person makes a choice based on his or her values and interests or decides on beneficial purposes.
There are several ways of managing an ethical dilemma. First, it is crucial to determine the origins of the problem. The task is to understand whether it is an ethical issue or a dilemma. In a situation with an ethical issue, the children worker should follow the Code of Ethics Rules. In case this is an ethical dilemma, it is needed to analyze and reflect on the conflicting responsibilities and possible solutions. It might take time to find a way to satisfy everyone’s needs. Those who work with children should use all professional knowledge and consult with the NAEYC Code. The goal is to determine the most ethically justifiable course of action.
Bullying
The school should not remain unconcerned with violence. A declaration of the administration and teachers about the unacceptability of bullying is a powerful action. It can instantly change the status of bullying from secretly approved to openly unapproved. One way to reduce the frequency of bullying episodes is to increase control and organize staff on duty at the school. They can track and suppress unacceptable situations. For instance, one way of bullying prevention is a requirement for all school employees to treat both students and each other politely and respectfully (Schargel, 2013). Children should not see an example of abusive and neglectful communication between people. At the initial stages, a simple conversation with an aggressor will help to stop the violence.
My ethical plan to deal with this problem would combine active teachers’ and parents’ work. Informative conversations in class could bring benefits. It is crucial not to provoke bullying and not to legalize it. If the teacher has repeatedly condemned the same student, this will give children a reason to think that this is appropriate. The teacher can involve other specialists – psychologists, social educators, and parents. This should be not only training and consultations but also conversations with parents. The best way of addressing bullying is prevention. It is important to include information on conflicts and examples of how to resolve them.
References
Feeney, S., & Freeman, N. K. (2016). Ethical issues: Responsibilities and dilemmas. Young Children, 71(1), 86-89.
National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2011) Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment. Web.
Schargel, F. (2013). Bullying: What schools, parents and students can do. Huffpost. Web.