Recommendations

Who Needs to Report

Upcoming Events in The Early Childhood Field

Child Care Aware of America | May 19-22, 2024 | Arlington, VA

International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute | May 7-9, 2024 | Conference Center in Chapel Hill, NC

Annual Conference Expo | November 6-9, 2024 | Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim CA

How to Maintain Professionalism

Confidentiality: Keeping all conversations private and not discussing the matters of students, teachers, or families 

Affirmation of other people’s points of view or perceptions: Letting others know you hear them and their points of view and opinions.

Whole body listening: Using our body and body language to show that we are paying attention and listening to everything the other person is saying. Not responding to, or looking at, texts while in a conversation. “We want them to know we hear them.” (Cyr, 2023)

Clear and Timely Communication: Taking time to ensure all people understand and have heard all that you have said and clear up any confusion when necessary. When pertaining to communicating with students, ensure to respond promptly and if unable to respond immediately, provide a time-frame of when you will be able to respond.

Relationships: Implementing the four behaviors mentioned above will help you to build strong relationships that demonstrate professionalism. These behaviors help others to trust you, which in turn helps to develop and strengthen relationships between teachers, students, and families.  

Suggested Adjustments in The Field

I believe that, as educators, we need to be as responsive and understanding towards children and everything that may be happening at home. Whether it be abuse, neglect, food insecurity, homelessness, or any other Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), we need to be there for them. We must report the abuse, provide resources for parents and families in need, and I believe we should give out extra food to children in need as well. Children need safe environments, they need safe people, they need us. We need to constantly strive to improve for the children, their parents, and their families. 

Personal Commitment Statement

As an early childhood professional, I promise to never do a child any harm. I will always resort to the Code of Ethics for guidance when I'm in an ethical dilemma. I will always report child abuse, whether suspected or true. I will always protect the children. I will treat all cultures, races, religions, and languages with respect and I will do my best to include all children in everything. I will strive to be a safe person for children and create a safe, warm, and welcoming environment for children to learn in. I will never discuss confidential information with anyone other than the people it includes, and I will never share descriptive or personal information about the children in my care. I will make an effort to collaborate with my colleagues, and include families in all I plan to do pertaining to their children's learning and development. Overall, I will adhere to the Code of Conduct and the guidelines within it.