This week's discussion focuses on establishing relationships with families. The instructor asks students where they would like to visit and shares her interest in visiting the Taj Mahal in India. NAEYC's core values of ethical behavior are presented, emphasizing respecting children and families. Two scenarios involving potential ethical issues between teachers and parents are discussed, with questions about how to address situations respecting ethical principles and responsibilities to children, families, colleagues and society. The importance of establishing communication and building relationships with parents through respecting their child-rearing techniques is emphasized.

1. Welcome to week 6! Dr. C. NCC

3. Getting to know you, getting to know all about you… This week, I would like to know where is the one place on earth that you wish you could visit during your life time? I would love to go to New Delhi and see the Taj Mahal!

4. NAEYC’s Core Valuesof Ethical Behavior* Appreciating childhood as a unique and valuable stage of the human life cycle Basing our work with children on knowledge of child development Appreciating and supporting the close ties between the child and family Recognizing that children are best understood and supported in the context of family, culture, community, and society Respecting the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual (child, family member, and colleague) Helping children and adults achieve their full potential in the context of relationships that are based on trust, respect, and positive regard *Retrieved on 10/07-2007 from http://www.naeyc.org/about/positions/PSETH98.asp

5. Real Life Application Situation 1 “Mrs. Cantelli had requested a conference with her daughter’s teacher, Mrs. Carter, to discuss the reading curriculum. “I know that it doesn’t hurt to expose children to reading and writing,” she said, “but I don’t think you should be teaching phonics to preschoolers. Do you really think these children are ready to learn phonics?” Mrs. Carter didn’t know how to respond. She felt that Mrs. Cantelli was right, but the director of the school made it quite clear that everyone had to teach phonics. ” (Segal ,et al., 2006, 329). In Situation 3, we have a conference with Mrs. Cantelli and her daughter's teacher Mrs. Carter. Was there a violation of ethical principal in this scenario? Explain. If you were the teacher, what would be your reaction to the student's parent? Would you address this with the director of the school? Why or why not?

6. Real Life Application Situation 2 “Cuddle care is the only licensed child care facility available in the camp of migrant workers. That means that during harvesting, Cuddle Care is often overenrolled. The director realized that is she does not take the children into her center, many of the infants might be left in the care of their young brothers and sisters. She’s also worried about losing her license. When someone from the health department arrived unexpectedly one day, the director was afraid that she might be shut down for overcrowding. She asked one of the teachers to take 10 of the children on a walk so the health department wouldn’t find out how many children were in the center. The teacher was not sure whether she should follow the director’s instructions, but she did” (Segal, et al., 2006, 329). This involves the director of Cuddle Care, a licensed child care facility for migrant workers' children and a teacher at Cuddle Care. Can you recognize a violation of ethical principal in this scenario? Why or why not? What would be your reaction if you were the teacher?

7. Principles of Ethical Practice We always maintain the confidentiality of the parents and our co-workers. We are honest, dependable, and reliable We are truthful with children, parents, and our co-workers We treat all families with respect We treat each child as an individual

8. What are our ethical responsibilities: To children? To families? To our colleagues? To the community and society?

9. NAEYC’s Competency Goals They are: To establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment To advance physical and intellectual competence To support social and emotional development and provide positive guidance To establish positive and productive relationships with families To ensure a well-run, purposeful program responsive to participant needs To maintain a commitment to professionalism

10. Competency Goal IV To establish positive and productive relationships with families. How can we as ECPs establish communication with parents?

11. Building relationships! Why is it essential to establish a good rapport with the parents of the children you watch?

12. Parents are the main teacher! As ECPs, it is essential that we respect the child-rearing techniques of our parents. In order to respect cultural differences in parenting, we need to focus our help on areas the parents want information about.

13. Any Questions? We will not meet on the 11th since it is Columbus Day and fall break!