NAEYC Competency Standard 6

One of the most important aspects of being an early childhood educator is the ability to be a professional at all times. Standard number 6 of the NAEYC standards is that early childhood educators should be professionals. We are responsible for advocating for the well-being of young children. It is important that we are constantly learning to improve our teaching techniques. As a professional, I am expected to follow NAEYCs Code of Ethical Conduct when I encounter and respond to dilemmas within my classes. Throughout my time at NOVA, I have practiced being an advocate for children ensuring their safety and making ethical decisions. I have continued to learn both in class and through collaboration with my peers to be a better teacher. Section 6e of standard 6 states that early childhood professionals should engage in informed advocacy for children and the profession. In EDU235; Health, Safety and Nutrition Education, I completed an analysis of a local playground. This assignment taught me that checking school equipment for safety is one of the many ways to advocate for the well-being of young children. After completing the playground safety checklist I learned that as a professional, advocacy is not always a response to an individual situation, but also a responsibility of safety prevention. As an early childhood professional, I am responsible for providing a safe environment for my students to learn. In my CHD120 class, Introduction to Early Childhood, I studied how to solve ethical issues as outlined in section b of standard 6. I completed an assignment where I used my knowledge of the NAEYCs ethical standards to solve a hypothetical problem. This assignment taught me that many everyday situations rely on an ethical solution. I have learned that if there is a situation where I am having trouble deciding what to do, I can look to my peers and the ethical standards to help me solve these issues within my classroom. Throughout my studies in early childhood I have learned what it means to be a professional early childhood educator. I have learned how to solve difficult situations using the tools I have learned at NOVA. I am ready to be an advocate for my students inside the classroom and out. I know that there is always something new to be learned and as an early childhood educator, I will always keep learning. The more tools I learn the better I am able to teach my students with various learning styles.