The Pyramid Model is a framework of effective teaching strategies that supports children’s social-emotional competence and prevents challenging behaviors. There are so many wonderful teaching strategies in this model that Montana has chosen it as part of their continuous quality improvement program – STARS. This means that training on the Pyramid Model is freely available to all providers. These modules are a considerable time commitment (with a 2 hour Introduction to the Pyramid followed by Module 1, Module 2, and Module 3, which are each 6 hours in length) and may be a bit too much for early childhood professionals that are not a part of STARS and not quite sure whether they want to make this commitment quite yet.

To support understanding and implementation of the Pyramid Model, the creators have recently published a new book entitled Unpacking the Pyramid Model: A Practical Guide for Preschool Teachers. (They are currently working on the book for infant toddler teachers too!) This book does a great job of introducing all the strategies that make the Pyramid so effective. To provide bite-sized introductions to these practices, the authors have also been participating in the Brookes Publishing Coffee Chats (free, one-hour webinars that can be participated in as they are being given or viewed on the website as a recording). The Coffee Chat on routines was especially informative, and I would highly recommend viewing this recording! 😊 Find the topics of interest to you in the links below:

Webinar recordings:

• Unpacking the Pyramid Model: A Practical Guide to Social Emotional Learning
• Boosting Child Engagement through Classroom Schedules and Routines
• Promoting Positive Family Partnerships within the Pyramid Model

Upcoming Coffee Chats on the Pyramid Model:

• Unpacking the Pyramid Model: Friendship Skills and Strategies for Teaching Them, April 14
• Teaching Expectations and Rules in Early Childhood Classrooms and Programs, May 26

Enjoy exploring the Pyramid Model for Promoting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children.