Ethical Value and Social Reform in Early Childhood Care Education

Abstract

This study examines ethical values and social reforms in Early Childhood Care Education. Moral and value are important virtue needed for the growth and development of every child, hence is it supposed to be inculcated for standards to be maintained in the society. The paper therefore, aims at re- awakening the schools and caregivers on the knowledge which have been neglected due to unnecessary changes in the curriculum, insufficient qualified caregivers and so on. These hamper the effective realization and attainment of ethical behaviours in the child. Three (3) specific objectives and three (3) research questions guided the study. Teachers with pupils in pre- primary between the ages of three (3) to six(6) years served as the targeted population of the study. Twenty (20) pre- primary teachers and thirty (30) pupils were randomly selected and structurally interviewed drawn from five (5) pre- primary schools in Oshimili South Local Government Area in Delta State. Two instruments were assigned for data collection; perception of caregivers towards ethical value and social reform (PCTEVSR), perception of pupils towards ethical value and social reform (PPTEVSR). Simple percentage was employed to verify the validity of data. Based on the findings, the study revealed that various activities; effective communication, taking responsibilities and so on, are needed to guide pupils through experiences to help them develop ethical behaviours for all round development and social functioning. The study has provided information to policy makers, pre- primary schools and caregivers on the need that moral standard and value attainment is pertinent especially in early childhood as it help mold the child’s character and well- being into personalities ready for life’s standards. To an extent, it revealed the strength and weaknesses of the child, the needs of the child towards achieving ethical behaviours and core elements in attaining ethical and moral standards in the child. When these are achieved, the wholistic nature of the child becomes a success. However, the study recommends a review of the current curriculum for the training and re- training of early child caregivers on the features of social ethics and value attainment. The Policy makers at the pre- primary level should ensure that professional qualified caregivers with Early Childhood Education certificates are employed in schools to guide children’s learning and development. These will foster the overall development of the pupils and the society at large in the nearest future.

KEYWORDS:  Ethics, Value Education, Early Childhood Classroom.