As caregivers and teachers of young children, we sometimes find ourselves in a situation where the decision about how to move forward is unclear. Read the following scenarios. In a 5-7 page essay, select three scenarios and develop a response using the steps outlined in the discussion and readings.
Identify the problem and discuss why it involves ethics.
Identify each of the stakeholders.
Brainstorm possible resolutions.
Consider ethical finesse, a way to resolve a problem that is satisfactory to everyone involved and that avoids having to make a difficult decision.
Based on your review of the Code and Supplement, and using your best professional judgment, describe what you think is the most ethically defensible course of action for Olivia. Cite the portion of the code you used to defend your response.
Ethical Dilemmas
Scenario #1
Marissa is the lead teacher in a three-year-old classroom of a daycare center. Joseph is a student in her room. Two months ago his mother changed jobs and began working rotating shifts at a hospital. His father works in a restaurant and his shifts vary from day to day. Due to their work schedules, they are together as a family at irregular times. Some evenings Joseph is not put to bed until midnight so the family can spend time together. In Marissa’s center, nap/ quiet time begins after lunch at 12:30 p.m. to about 2:00 p.m. There are days that Joseph is ready to nap at 11:00 a.m. Other days he is very difficult to wake from his nap. Marissa has had a conversation with his parents and they would like him to sleep as much as he wants so he is rested and able to interact with them when they have a chance to be together as a family. What guidance do you find in the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct to help Marissa make decisions about how to balance the needs of the family and child and provide high-quality early childhood programming?
Scenario #2
Rose has been a family childcare provider for eight years. Fourteen months ago she began to care for Carla who is now eighteen months. During this time she noticed that Carla accomplished developmental milestones a bit later than other children in her care. Carla began walking at 17 months and is unsteady on her feet. She is not speaking any words but understands some words such as “mommy” and “up.” She does not imitate games such as patty-cake or peek-a-boo. She has difficulty picking up small items. A service is available that sends a specialist to family day care home to complete a basic developmental screening on children. Last week Rose shared some of her concerns with Carla’s mother and asked if she would like her to arrange for the screening. Carla’s mother declined, saying that she thinks Carla will catch up soon. Looking to the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct, what actions might Rose take at this time?
Scenario #3
At Beverly’s childcare center, families are asked to sign a release that would allow images of their children, who are engaged in program activities, to be published in the newspaper, agency brochures or posted on the center’s website. Most families are happy to sign the release. Each year there are two or three families who do not sign the release and the center accommodates their wishes. Recently, a parent who was volunteering on a field trip, took several pictures of the children on her cellphone and posted them on Facebook. One of the children was the child of a family who did not sign the release. They saw their child’s picture on Facebook and are disturbed that this happened. Using the NAEYC Code of Ethics as a reference, how should Beverly respond to this situation?
Scenario #4
Amanda is the assistant teacher in a kindergarten classroom, George is the lead teacher. The two of them have worked together for three years and, up until recently, they have developed a smooth-running and stimulating classroom. Two months ago, George confided to Amanda that his teenage son has been in serious trouble, which is very distressful for George. Lately, Amanda has been assuming more and more of the leadership and workload of the classroom. She has noticed that George is preoccupied when he should be engaged with the children. Yesterday, when George had the children on the playground, she saw him sending several text messages. He did not notice that three of the children were climbing on the playground fence. One of the children slipped and cut his hand. Amanda is worried that George is not providing proper supervision or engaging in the education of the students. She does not want to get him in trouble. He has always been an excellent teacher and highly regarded by his co-workers as well as the administration. What guidance can you find in the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct to help Amanda decide what to do?
Scenario # 5
Trevor works in a private preschool that has a commitment to providing only pre-packaged foods or foods cooked on the premises due to a number of allegies and food restrictions. The parent handbook provides information on this rule and it explains the restrictions about what can be sent in and the policy that discourages celebrations for birthdays and other special occasions. Gail, a student in Trevor’s classroom, and her family recently immigrated to this country. Gail is learning English as she interacts with the other children. Her grandmother, who brings her to school and drops her off, knows little English. Today is a special day in their culture so her grandmother proudly presents Trevor with a box of frosted cookies she has made especially for the occasion. Trevor has been studying the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct in a class he’s been taking. What guidance does Trevor find to help him decide what to do?
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