AFTON – Do you still use the same phone that you used in 1980? When you need medical care, do you avoid new techniques in favor of older, more invasive procedures? Of course not. Most jump at the advantages that research and technology provide.
Through an upcoming media campaign, Dekko Foundation will contend early childhood education is due for an update, as well.
“Through research and study, we know so much more about how children grow and learn than we did 20 years ago,” said Kimberly Schroeder, program officer for the Dekko Foundation. “It’s time to pair the timeless principles related to how children learn with the knowledge gained by people who study children’s development today. Together, those things bring us to the next logical step forward in early childhood education.”
For the past seven years, the Dekko Foundation has partnered with early education centers in its Indiana and Iowa grantmaking areas. Those leaders have studied how very young children learn and what they need to maximize their development. These leaders have changed their approach, their words and their buildings based on what is known now about children’s learning needs. Children are thriving. But, there’s a problem. The new approach just looks weird.
Missing are the brightly colored classrooms filled with ABC and 123 banners. Knowledge about how children learn alludes to too many distractions keep children from learning.
The teacher is no longer the center of the room. Research shows children thrive when they direct their own learning at their own pace.
Two-year-olds are making their own snacks and cleaning up afterward. Children see adults do this work. When they can do it themselves, they feel powerful.
“Many people who work with young children believe this approach to learning is really good for children, but they meet resistance from parents and grandparents,” said Sharon Smith, the Dekko Foundation’s program director. “Our media campaign is designed to inform people about what children need in their early education environments so their learning can be maximized. We want parents to seek out excellence in care for their children and have the information available to determine what is excellent in their opinion.”
Early education programs using this approach in the Dekko Foundation’s Iowa grantmaking areas include East Union Early Childhood Center, 1916 High School Drive, in Afton. More information can be found at www.eastunionearlychildhood.ia.euc.schoolinsites.com.
The Dekko Foundation’s awareness campaign is designed to help parents understand there is early education out there that’s good for their children. The target market for the campaign is parents ages 18 through 35. Because this age group uses technology heavily, the foundation’s campaign will use digital advertising on websites and online radio stations. The campaign will also attempt to reach a secondary audience of grandparents and community leaders by using traditional radio, print and in-person presentations.
The Dekko Foundation was started in 1981 by entrepreneur Chester E. Dekko. The mission of his foundation is to foster economic freedom through education. The foundation serves communities where Dekko had an interest.
The campaign’s first phase will run through the end of August. For information, contact the foundation at dekko@dekkofoundation.org or call 260-347-1278.