Ethical Dilemma: Can I Keep This Child

Amanda has been caring for four-year-old Jamie for the past six months. While Jamie is a great kid, when things dont go his way he gets really angry. He throws things and can be destructive. Its getting to the point that Amanda feels she is ignoring the other children while trying to handle Jamie. Amanda has been trying to be consistent in her discipline of Jamie, but shes starting to wonder if she should ask his parents to find another place for him. What should Amanda do?

1. In your own words, identify what you think is the main concern, issue, or problem in this situation. If Jaime keeps acting could hurt himself or hurt the other children. Another issue is that Amanda is spending most of her time with Jamie and not paying attention to the rest of the children, she cannot properly asses the other children. Another issue is that Amanda might not be using the correct tools for Jamie. She is using discipline, but she could use other tools such as redirection, or different guidance strategies to support Jamies development. 2. To whom do you have responsibilities? Whom and what do you have to consider in making a decision? The responsibility is to everyone. She has the responsibility of Jaime being safe. She has the responsibility to the rest of the children in the classroom. She also has responsibility to the parents of Jaime and the parents of the other children. She has the responsibility of them to ensure all of their proper development. Any decisions that are made have to be taken with the consideration of how it affects Jaime, and how it will affect his parents. Any decision she takes she needs to keep in mind Jaimes self concept of himself. 3. What guidance can you find in this section of the Code of Ethics? What specific items in the code are helpful in guiding your decision? Section I ideal 1.5 states, to create and maintain safe healthy settings that foster childrens social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development and that respect their dignity and their contributions. This code is helpful because Amanda needs to take a look at her environment and her teaching style to make sure she is helping Jamie, as well as the other children, develop socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically. I-1.7- To use assessment information to understand and support childrens development and learning, to support instruction, and to identify children who may need additional services, Amanda needs to understand how to support Jaime and his development and how to support his development and take proper measures if necessary.

4. What do you think an early childhood educator should do to best resolve this situation? What action(s) should you take in resolving this situation? I-1.12 To work with families to provide a safe and smooth transition as children and families move from one program to the next To resolve this situation Amanda must first take a look at her environment and point out the work that she needs to do in her own environment. There might be something that is triggering Jaime to act the way he does at times. After she has done that if it still is not working she needs to reflect on her own strategies, is she redirecting, using the I statements, is she giving choices? She needs to take time to try different guidance strategies that might help Jaime. If that still does not work, she could set up an action plan with the parents, where she discusses the discipline style that she practices in her classroom and discuss the discipline style his parents use at home. She then, could set up a plan where they come up with a discipline style that both her and the parents can agree on and stay consistent both at home and at school.

Ethical Dilemma: They Want the Children to Succeed!

A parent of a preschooler in your program is concerned that her child will not be ready for kindergarten next year and has talked with other parents who have the same concern. The group of parents has a copy of the kindergarten placement test and would like you to begin preparing the children and deliver the test before the end of the year. They want the children to succeed in school! 1. In your own words, identify what you think is the main concern, issue, or problem in this situation. The main concern in this scenario is that parents are worried that their children will not be ready for kindergarten. Another concern is that the parents may not be aware about the developmental stages of the children. Another problem is that, as a teacher, she may not believe in doing worksheets and testing the children. 2. To whom do you have responsibilities? Whom and what do you have to consider in making a decision? In any decision I make I have to consider my own philosophy as a teacher. I have the responsibility to the children to make sure they are ready for kindergarten. I have the responsibility to the parents to respect their ideas and wishes for their children. 3. What guidance can you find in this section of the Code of Ethics? What specific items in the code are helpful in guiding your decision? Section two of NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct is about respecting families. I-2.2-To develop relationships of mutual trust and create partnerships with the families we serve. It is important for us as educators to create a bond between families because it is important to have family communication to know what they expect from us and what they expect from us. I-2.3- To welcome all family members and encourage them to participate in the program. In order for parents to fully understand my philosophy of play or to see the importance of play and how much play helps the development of their children. I-2.6-To acknowledge families childrearing values and their right to make decisions for their children Parents and teachers need to work together to create a diverse environment where each child values are implemented. I-2.8-To help family members enhance their understanding of their children and support the continuing development of their skills as parents.

It is important for educators to help parents in understanding the stages and development of their children. It is also important to give parents the tools to help them enhance their childs skills. 4. What do you think an early childhood educator should do to best resolve this situation? What action(s) should you take in resolving this situation? As an educator I think that the parents should be invited to participate in the program so they can see what is done in the program. I also think that the teacher should have parent teacher conferences with the DRDPs and explain where she can show the parents the progress their children have made. Also, the teacher could have tools, suggestions, and activities that she can give the parents to do at home with their children.