Focus on Ethics

Five diverse preschool-aged children smiling at camera

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Focus on Ethics, coedited by Stephanie Feeney and Nancy K. Freeman, presents dilemmas that early childhood educators encounter as they work with young children and their families along with analysis that reflects the field's current best thinking anchored by the question "What should an ethical early childhood educator do?"

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Educator measuring the distance between desk in classroom
Article
Young Children
September 1, 2020

Focus on Ethics. The Code and COVID-19

This Focus on Ethics column discusses some of the ethical issues the pandemic has created for teachers and administrators working in programs that serve young children.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Meir Muller, Angela C. Baum
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Family and Teacher in a classroom
Article
Young Children
November 1, 2019

Focus On Ethics: Gender Expression and Identity

Our role as educators is to create a safe and reflective space for children to develop their identities and to counterbalance gender stereotypes.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Stephanie Feeney, Nancy K. Freeman, Katie Schaffer
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A family and teacher discuss allowing a child to freely engage in dramatic play.
Article
Young Children
March 1, 2017

Focus on Ethics: Ethical Finesse—A Strategy To Resolve Ethical Issues

This Focus on Ethics column asks you to consider how to respond to Mr. Jackson—the father of 4-year-old Victor—who insists that his son not be permitted to play with clothes or accessories typically associated with girls and women.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Stephanie Feeney, Nancy K. Freeman
Members Only
Two preschool boys smiling
Article
Young Children
September 1, 2016

Focus on Ethics: "Make Sure My Child Drinks Her Milk!" —The Response

Early childhood educators encounter many ethical issues in the course of their daily work with children and families. Focus on Ethics presents such an issue and asks readers to determine how an early childhood educator might best respond to it.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Eva Moravcik, Stephanie Feeney, Nancy K. Freeman
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Coteachers discuss shared roles and responsibilities.
Article
Young Children
September 1, 2015

Focus on Ethics: A Difficult Working Relationship: The Response

Responses provided by early childhood educators who reflected on the most ethically defensible course of action for a young teacher facing a challenging dilemma at work.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Stephanie Feeney, Nancy K. Freeman
Members Only