A Note of Thanks and Support

     To my colleagues in Group 2. I would like to thank you for your kind and encouraging words that you have shared with me throughout this course. I look forward to interacting with each of you in January 2015! Please leave a note of inspiration or thank you for me because I would really like to read your thoughts!

Educationally,

Shelita

Examining Codes of Ethics

     National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

 

Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment

 

 

Section I

 

Ethical Responsibilities to Children

 

Ideals

 

I-1.1 - "To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training." (NAEYC, 2005).

 

• It is required that all staff complete training modules, quarterly training, and annual trainings. It is encouraged that all staff work toward continuing their education to acquire a Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate, associate or higher degree to stay informed of new research, trends and techniques in the field of early childhood to provide quality care for children and their families.

 

P-1.7 - "We shall strive to build individual relationships with each child; make individualized adaptations in teaching strategies, learning environments, and curricula; and consult with the family so that each child benefits from the program. If after such efforts have been exhausted, the current placement does not meet a child's needs, or the child is seriously jeopardizing the ability of other children to benefit from the program, we shall collaborate with the child's family and appropriate specialists to determine the additional services needed and /or the placement option(s) most likely to ensure the child's success. (Aspects of this principle may not apply in programs that have a lawful mandate to provide services to a particular population of children)." (NAEYC, 2005)

 

• When a child displays behavioral difficulties in the environment, it is the responsibility of the lead teachers, TAC, parents and management to work together as a team to determine if a child's current environment is best for his success. Observations are conducted in various settings, meetings are scheduled to include all of the above mentioned and specialist in the early childhood field that focus on behaviors are contacted. To prevent the child or other children in the program from benefiting; after all attempts have been made to guide, re-direct and assist the child in controlling his behavior, a decision is reached unanimously amongst the team to find another placement option for the child's success.

 

Section III

 

Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues

 

A - Responsibilities to co-workers

 

Ideals

 

I-3A.1 - "To establish and maintain relationships of respect, trust, confidentiality, collaboration, and cooperation with co-workers." (NAEYC, 2005)

 

• My co-workers expect and trust that information shared in (written or oral) will remain confident. We all sign a statement of understanding that confidentiality is mandatory and disciplinary action will be taken if this trust is broken. As professionals each co-worker is respected for their opinion and their input highly encouraged.

 

 

Division for Early Childhood (DEC)

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

I. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

 

Professional Collaboration

 

3. "We shall honor and respect the diverse backgrounds of our colleagues including such diverse characteristics as sexual orientation, race, national origin, religious beliefs, or other affiliations." (DEC, 2000).

• Each employee is respected and their private lives and personal beliefs are their own and not to be judged by anyone. Individuality is what makes the world interesting.

 

4. "We shall identify and disclose to the appropriate persons using proper communication channels errors or acts of incompetence that compromise children's and families' safety and well being when individual attempts to address concerns are unsuccessful." (DEC, 2000).

 

• All communication is reported immediately to the appropriate persons, and documented when acts of incompetence jeopardizes the safety and well being of children and their family. 

 

II. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PREPARATION

 

 

2. "We shall be responsible for maintaining the appropriate national, state, or other credential or licensure requirements for the services we provide while maintaining our competence in practice and research by ongoing participation in professional development and education activities." (DEC, 2000).

 

• Our organization is required to achieve and maintain accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  

 

 

References

 

 

NAEYC. (2005). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved May from  

     http://www..naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

 

 

The Division for Early Childhood. (2000). Code of ethics. Retrieved from 

     http://www.dec-sped.org/  



  









Early Childhood Resources

 

                                     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://community.fpg.unc.edu/sites/community.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/FPG_Snapshot_N33_EvidenceBasedPractice_09-2006.pdf
• 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.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

                                       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 media segment 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/
    Click on "Mission/Vision" and "Guiding Principles and Beliefs" and read these statements.

 

 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/
• 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/
• Institute for Women's Policy Research
  http://www.iwpr.org/
• 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.pewstates.org/projects/pre-k-now-328067
• Voices for America's Children
  http://www.voices.org/
• The Erikson Institute
  http://www.erikson.edu/

 Selected Professional Journals Available in the Walden Library

• 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

Three additional resources are:

• (CSEFEL) Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning

          http://www.csefel.edu.resources/

•  (KIT) Kids Included Together     

            www.kitonline.org/

•   Article: (PAVE) Partnerships For Action. Voices For Empowerment. Keys to Inclusion. Retrieved Spring 2011, from www.kitonline.org/    

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

"Only when professionals understand culturally sensitive care and are in close communication with families can they know how to work toward positive outcomes for children's identity, sense of belonging, and cultural competence".

-Gonzalez-Mena, J., 2001

"We must be the compassion we wish to see in others!"

                                  -Janet Gonzalez-Mena, 2011




 "You didn't have a choice about the parents you inherited, but you do have a choice about the kind of parent you will be".

-Marian Wright Edelman

"A nation that does not stand for its children does not stand for anything and will not stand tall in the future".

-Marian Wright Edelman

                             "The preschool years are critical, they are the first most fundamental period when children are in fact noticing who they are and are noticing the attitudes and the stereotypes and the discomforts or the positive messages about their skin color, their racial identity, their ethnic identity and so on".

-Louise Derman-Sparks, on the reason for her passion for early childhood video.

"I learned it's not all about you. You gotta take your ego out of it and think about what's best for this child, and you care about them enough to help them transition to what's next-what comes next and what's best".

-Renatta M. Cooper, on the reason for her passion for early childhood video.

Personal Childhood Web

      Maxine Clyde Carter is the first influence in my life. She raised me from a young infant to  

This is my grandmother and I

the age of eight. I have affectionately called her "Ma" until the day she left this earth from Alzheimer's. She taught me to love the Lord, self respect and how to love myself. She gave me a sense of pride and family. We celebrated every birthday, holiday and "family night" was the best! We would listen to records and dance until I fell asleep. I remember when we used to watch a television show titled, "Creature Feature" where a Dracula character would introduce a series of spooky shortcuts, similar to "The Crypt Keeper" show. I would be right up under her until I fell asleep but I would always end up in my own bed in the morning. I knew I was loved and safe as a young child. My grandmother had a nick name for me; it is "Pookie". I will always treasure and honor her as my mother.

This is my mother, my two uncles and me

     My mother had me at a young age so she entered my life late. My mother and I had to build our relationship because we did not know each other. It was not easy for me to adjust to my new life with my mother but over time we developed a bond that cannot be broken. My mother and I grew up together and she taught me how to persevere, to be independent and strong.
     My uncles grew up with me as well. I always thought they were my brothers! They loved me, but sometimes they would play tricks on me like taping a glow in the dark life size poster of "Frankenstein" above my bed and laugh like crazy when I screamed! Sherwayne and Jr. gave me security because anytime someone was mean to me I would get them to handle it!

 

My grandmother and dad after my high school graduation

     Wesley Green better known to me as "Dad"! This is the only man in my life that I have called dad and I love him for being in my life. He taught me that love is unconditional and to never give up!










My aunt, great-grandmother and grandmother

     My aunt Carol and great-grandmother taught me about being close with extended family members. Every summer until I was thirteen years of age I would travel to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to visit with them and my cousins. I felt loved and nurtured whenever I was there. My aunt Carol gave the best kisses! My grand-mother made the best food! One memory of mine is when the neighborhood kids found out that I was from Washington, D.C., I instantly became a superstar, because the kids were amazed that I lived where the President lived! Boy did I eat up my popularity!

My Social Studies teacher Mr. Davis

      This is a picture of Mr. Davis and I when I was visiting family. I surprised him at school! Mr. Davis was an influence in my life because he encouraged me to continue my education beyond high school. He would stress the importance that my grades should not be wasted and that I should pursue a college education. I remember expressing to him that I could not afford to go to college and I really had talent doing hair. Mr. Davis refused to accept my excuse. This man took the time to visit my mother at our home and spoke with her candidly about my future. My mother told Mr. Davis the exact thing I told him, "We can't afford it". Well, Mr. Davis refused her response as well. He personally researched and scheduled an appointment at Morgan State University; in which I am proudly an Alumni, for me to interview for a scholarship. I received an academic scholarship, grant money and a loan. I was excited! Mr. Davis is one of a kind and I will forever be thankful for his encouragement and tenacity for not allowing me to walk away from my future.

     As I was completing this assignment I became emotional because some of the adults that have influenced and nurtured me as a young child; are no longer living. I learned so much from each member and each of them are a part of who I am as an adult to this day. I can truly admit that I have been Blessed with loving people in my life that will always hold a special place of my heart.



First blog

Hello!

Finally I did it with the help of my daughter, YEAH!! This journey will be interesting! I have worked with children for 10 years, beginning my career as a teacher in an Infant room while my family was stationed in Germany. I have experienced many challenges as my career moves forward but I learn from each experience. My career actually began with my interest in radio! However, I made the right choice when a stranger suggested that I think about working with children. I can truly admit that it's one of the best decisions that I have ever made.

Shelita

Story About a Child That Touched My Heart

One story that remains a part of my life is when a child was assigned to my classroom whom was diagnosed with autism and was blind in one eye. She was moved to my room because the larger room that she was in 1. the parents were not happy and 2. she was invisible. I was concerned initially when the child entered my room because after the parents trained and educated us on her temperament, likes, dislikes, abilities and the fact that her prosthetic eye may pop out from time to time; I was not too comfortable. All I could think about was, her eye popping out, picking it up and putting it in a baggy ! "Lawd" have mercy! The first two weeks were interesting to say the least, I learned that this child communicated by repeating whatever I said to her (like a parrot) and she did not like to be touched or have the toys rearranged in the room. The parents were like night and day, dad was patient and mom was not; I had to send mom packing a few times until she realized that I was not a fan of hers and the way she spoke to her daughter. I learned so much about autism because of this child. I visited her school that she attended for a few hours daily where I learned that I could communicate with her through pictures, textures and Yes or No cards. I toilet trained her, taught her signal words to use when she would use inappropriate words, taught her how to dress herself and I even became comfortable when her prosthetic eye would come out; I would rinse it and she would put it back in her eye socket. I was so protective of this little girl and everyone knew it! They knew not to talk negative about her or disrespect her in any way or they would answer to me. She remained in my room until the family relocated to a new military base. I enjoyed the family. In the end it was a pleasure working with the family. She was my baby and I love her because, I had a hand in nurturing her to become independent. I wish I could see her today!

Shelita

Title of A Book That I Love and Why

I absolutely love the book There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, because it's entertaining to the children and staff when I enact this book. I dress up in character as an old lady and use props to pretend as if I am actually eating the various insects and animals. I have enjoy reading this book and during "Dr. Seuss Week" I am requested by my peers to read to the children. I really love this book!

Current Picture of myself

Hello!
Here is a current photo of me!

Shelita