What The Discovery Source does

The Discovery Source Inc. is a privately held, founder-owned educational products and training company headquartered in Vista, California, co-founded in 2006 by Denise and Dave Scahill. The company designs, sells, and distributes evidence-based social-emotional learning resources for early childhood educators, elementary teachers, Head Start programs, and families of children ages 0-5 (and increasingly K-5). Its portfolio centers on derivatives of the Pyramid Model framework licensed from NCPMI and its proprietary Tucker Turtle Technique for self-regulation, delivered through 102 SKUs of physical kits, puppets, books, calming tools, and visual aids priced from $4.95 to $779.97, plus customized Home Visitor and franchise kits.

The company's products are organized around several thematic lines: Pyramid Model classroom toolkits (Preschool, Infant Toddler, Family Childcare, Outdoor), Tucker Turtle character-based kits, Neurodiversity and Caring Communities bundles (Atlas, Haven, Maria & Sol), Wellbeing at Work educator wellness packages, Yogapalooza mindfulness and movement resources, Coy Bowles children's book collection, and natural disaster education kits (Weathering The Storm, From the Ashes). All major kits are bilingual in English and Spanish. Professional development training (in-person and virtual) is sold alongside products on topics including Pyramid Model implementation, neurodivergent learners, behavior management, effective interactions, and family engagement, with purchase orders required 2-3 weeks prior to session dates.

The Discovery Source monetizes through a dual physical-products-plus-services model. Revenue streams include direct-to-consumer e-commerce, bulk and institutional pricing on purchase orders, and a subscription-style annual billing structure for Wellbeing at Work ($59.97 participant / $779.97 facilitator). Go-to-market relies on eight Regional Sales Managers covering all US states, a Solutions Specialist team for custom kit design, an in-house contact center, and print catalog distribution. Customer logos span Head Start programs (Community Action Head Start, Sunflower Academy), school districts (Bright Futures ISD, Horizon Academy), franchise systems (Goddard Schools), regional agencies (First 5 Sacramento 10-county region, ELC of Polk County Florida), and family child care providers. The company is entirely founder-owned with no disclosed institutional investment, no parent or subsidiary entities, and no public listing.

Name

The Discovery Source

Legal name

The Discovery Source Inc.

Website

https://thediscoverysource.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Discovery Source designs, manufactures, and distributes evidence-based social-emotional learning kits, puppets, books, and calming tools for early childhood educators, Head Start programs, school districts, and families, complemented by customized professional development training services across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Education Resources

NAICS

Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (459120), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944), Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Educational Supplies & Learning Toys Retail (CRALAIAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Kids Crafts & Educational Craft Kits Retail (CRALACAG), Autism Support Instructional Materials (Structured Teaching, Visual Supports) (EDAGAMAK), Occupational Therapy & Fine-Motor / Sensory Integration Instructional Materials (EDAGAMAG)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Social emotional learning
• Pyramid Model framework
• Self regulation tools
• Professional development training

Headquarters

HQ city

Vista

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Physical Products Sales: Sale of educational resource kits, books, puppets, calming tools, and learning materials for early childhood and elementary education. Products range from individual items ($9.95-$149.97) to comprehensive kits ($274.99-$779.97). Includes custom kit solutions.
2. Professional Development Training: Customized training workshops for educators, staff, and caregivers delivered in-person or virtually. Training covers implementation of products and teaching methodologies. Separate pricing from product sales.
3. Bulk and Institutional Pricing: Volume pricing for organizations, Head Start programs, school districts. Bulk pricing available for Wellbeing at Work program. Regional sales managers facilitate large institutional orders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Discovery Source sells a catalog of over 100 physical educational resource kits (classroom kits, books, puppets, visual tools, calming sensory items) for early childhood and elementary educators and families, anchored in the Pyramid Model framework and the proprietary Tucker Turtle Technique for self-regulation. Alongside products, the company delivers customized professional development training (in-person and virtual) and bespoke Custom Kit Solutions designed with Solutions Specialists for institutions such as Head Start programs and school districts.

Product overview

The Discovery Source offers a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and professional development services for early childhood and elementary education. The portfolio centers on evidence-based social-emotional learning tools, primarily the Pyramid Model framework and Tucker Turtle Technique for self-regulation. Key product lines include: (1) Pyramid Model classroom kits and character-based learning tools (Tucker Turtle, Tiny Teagan, Suri Spider) for behavior management and emotional regulation; (2) Neurodiversity and inclusion resources including the Neurodiversity Bundle Set, Atlas' Secret Superpower, and Caring Communities bundles; (3) Elementary resources including calming kits and book series; (4) Family engagement tools including home visitor kits and parent resources; (5) Natural disaster education programs including Weathering The Storm and From the Ashes; (6) Yogapalooza mindfulness and movement program; (7) Wellbeing At Work educator wellness programs; and (8) Professional development training services. The company operates exclusively as a physical product catalog and training service provider with no digital platform, API, or software-as-a-service offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tucker Turtle Technique: A self-regulation technique and character-based teaching approach that helps children recognize feelings, stop their bodies before acting, take deep breaths, and calm down to problem solve. Includes Tucker Turtle Classroom Kit, Tucker Turtle at Home Kit, and related products.
• Yogapalooza
• Wellbeing At Work
• Start With Heart

Products and services

• Pyramid Model Preschool Classroom Tool Kit

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% decrease in classroom disruptions within first semester
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, key, flagship and minor.

• Pyramid Model ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative development of the Outdoor Pyramid Model Kit, extending evidence-based Pyramid Model strategies beyond the classroom. The kit includes durable vinyl banners, solution cards, and a calming tent designed for outdoor learning environments.
• NCPMI (National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Discovery Source's Pyramid Model resource kits are a derivative of NCPMI original products. Licensed framework for evidence-based positive behavior support and social-emotional development.
• Bari Koral / YogapaloozakeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistribution partnership for Yogapalooza products - a music, movement, and mindfulness program for preschoolers. Bari Koral is the founder and creator. Includes Classroom Starter Kit, yoga cards, and mindfulness resources.
• Coy Bowles (Zac Brown Band)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoy Bowles Children's Book Collection featuring 6 books including Amy Giggles, Will Powers, and Behind the Little Red Door series. Written by musician/songwriter from Grammy-winning Zac Brown Band.
• First 5 Sacramento CaliforniaflagshipImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCustom kit development partnership creating a Home Visitor Kit for 10-county region. ELC of Polk County, Florida partnership also referenced for custom kit creation. Result was unique product for parent education on early childhood development.
• Goddard SchoolskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCustom Meddy Teddy kit designed specifically for Goddard Schools franchise locations. Includes yoga bear with custom Goddard t-shirt and 16 yoga pose cards.
• Malcolm Mitchell (NFL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-authored Every Amazing Story: A Writing Adventure with Coy & Malcolm with Super Bowl Champion. Children's book about writing and storytelling.
• Pam Perkins, LCSWminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-created Yogapalooza Peaceful Parents Cards with therapist Pam Perkins. Mental health professional contributing to parent-focused mindfulness tools.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Frog Street: Provider of early childhood curriculum and classroom materials including SEL and social-emotional components for Pre-K programs. Directly competes with The Discovery Source in supplying Head Start and preschool programs with research-backed instructional kits.
• Conscious Discipline: SEL and classroom management program for early childhood educators, offering structured curriculum, books, and training workshops. Closely comparable methodology-driven, training-anchored GTM targeting the same Head Start and early childhood educator buyer.
• Kaplan Early Learning: Distributor of early childhood educational materials, classroom kits, and SEL resources to schools and child care providers. Directly comparable in product mix (kits, puppets, manipulatives) and customer base (Head Start, early childhood educators).

Broad incumbents

• Teaching Strategies (ReadyNation): Major early childhood curriculum provider (Creative Curriculum, GOLD assessment) serving the same Head Start and district customers with broader, assessment-anchored offerings. A larger incumbent The Discovery Source competes against for budget allocation.
• Lakeshore Learning: Major educational supplies retailer and curriculum publisher for early childhood and elementary classrooms. Competes in physical learning kits, classroom materials, and educator resources at retail scale.
• Discount School Supply: Large catalog retailer of early childhood classroom supplies, furniture, and educational materials serving schools and child care centers. Overlaps in basic kit and supply categories but at broader, less curriculum-specialized positioning.
• Really Good Stuff: Catalog and online retailer of educational supplies, classroom organization, and teacher resources for K-8. Comparable in catalog-driven GTM and K-5 buyer overlap, though broader and less SEL-specialized.
• Scholastic Education: Largest educational publisher and distributor in the US, serving Pre-K through K-12 with books, curriculum, and SEL programs. A broad incumbent whose classroom book clubs and curriculum divisions overlap with The Discovery Source's family engagement and SEL offerings.

Emerging players

• Brookes Publishing: Special education publisher of assessment tools, curriculum, and professional development resources. Comparable in special-education and SEL instructional materials space, particularly relevant overlap with The Discovery Source's neurodiversity kits.
• Gryphon House: Publisher of activity books and curriculum guides for early childhood educators focused on social-emotional development. Competes in the books and teacher resource category The Discovery Source occupies with its Coy Bowles and character-based titles.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Discovery Source