The Dekko Foundation
  • Our Beliefs
    • What is Economic Freedom?
      • Early Childhood Development
      • Middle Childhood Development
      • Adolescent Development
      • Community Development
      • Great things happen
    • Our Funding Priorities
    • Child Development Focus
    • Child Development Resources
  • Our Grantmaking
    • Grantseeker Support
      • Where We Invest
      • Grant Application Deadlines
      • We’re Here to Help You!
      • Dekko Foundation 101
      • Our Grantmaking Process
      • Positive Change
      • FAQs
      • Glossary of Philanthropic Terms
    • Grantee Support
      • Midterm and Final Grant reports
      • Press Release Ideas and Review
  • Our Initiatives
    • The Arts
    • before5
    • bloom!
      • Oh! The Power Of Thinking
    • Civic Responsibility
    • Stronger Organizations
      • Benchmarks
      • Start Where You Are
      • Nonprofit Leadership Workshop Series
    • Vocational Exploration
    • Youth Philanthropy
      • Youth Philanthropy Resources
      • 2022 Youth Pod Retreat
  • About Us
    • Our Founder
    • Our Board and Staff
    • Our 40th Birthday
    • Annual Report
    • News/Blog
    • Contact Us
  • Apply Now!
  • My Account
  • Search
  • Menu
Side image
  • The Arts
    • before5
      • bloom!
        • Oh! The Power Of Thinking
      • Civic Responsibility
        • Stronger Organizations
          • Vocational Exploration
            • Youth Philanthropy
              Our Initiativesbloom!

              bloom!

              We want to invest in early education thought leaders

              “When I gave up control and let the children show me what they wanted to learn—because THEY KNOW what they need—it opened up amazing worlds for the children and for me too.” – An early education teacher empowered by principles

              Until a few years ago our early education investments went to very traditional purposes: CDA’s, curricula, quality ratings systems and accreditation. Then, we noticed something startling! Classrooms had the equipment, adults had the words, but children (in their prime for curiosity and exploration) were often bored.

              We changed our model and started to put our resources into helping the people in early education uncover the unchanging truths or principles behind how children grow and develop. We also found mentors who could help teachers explore this new understanding in their classrooms.

              It didn’t happen right away but, before long, classrooms were transformed. Children became explorers! Teachers responded to children’s learning needs with the power in their heads and hearts rather than direction from a manual. Classrooms simply hummed with the sounds of learning!

              A different way of thinking about children is behind it all. We came to understand that all children are capable and richly-endowed learners, with a natural desire to understand the world around them. They need adults to keep them safe, provide rich learning environments and then step out of the way.

              Dekko 7 Simple Ideas

              View a copy of 7 Simple Ideas to Make Your Classroom Bloom!

              More information for our Indiana grantseekers.

              © Copyright - The Dekko Foundation
              Scroll to top