pyramid model

Introduction to the Prevention Approach in Emotional and Behavioral Concerns

Many decades of research have demonstrated that a prevention approach to emotional and behavioral concerns can yield a lifetime of benefits. The Pyramid Model is inspired by the public health model, which consists of three main components: promotion, prevention, and intervention. In this model, there are three intervention levels: universal, secondary, and tertiary.

The Pyramid Model Framework

Universal Level

  • Definition and Purpose: The universal level of the Pyramid Model includes practices that ensure the social development of all children. This foundational level promotes healthy social and emotional development across the entire population.

  • Practices: The practices at this level involve creating high quality environments, designing effective curricula, and implementing teaching strategies that foster development in all areas, including social and emotional skills.

Secondary Level (Prevention)

  • Definition: The secondary level focuses on providing targeted supports and prevention strategies for children who show social-emotional delays and are at risk for challenging behavior.

  • Instruction in Social Skills: It is critical to provide explicit instruction in social skills and emotional regulation. Although all children require guidance, some may need systematic instruction that focuses on specific social-emotional skills such as:

    • Identifying and expressing emotions

    • Self-regulation

    • Social problem solving

    • Cooperative responding

    • Handling disappointment and anger

    • Developing friendship skills

  • Guidance for Families: Families may also need guidance and coaching from early intervention providers to promote their child's social and emotional development effectively.

Tertiary Level

  • Individualized Interventions: The tertiary level addresses the very small number of children who exhibit persistent challenges. It involves comprehensive and individualized interventions designed to support children with complex behavioral needs.

  • Individualized Positive Behavioral Support (IPBS): This approach focuses on creating a behavior support plan that is tailored to the individual child and is applicable across various natural environments (home, school, community).

  • Team-Based Process:

    • Team Composition: The team consists of the child's family and primary caregivers, including teachers.

    • Functional Assessment: A functional assessment is conducted to understand the factors influencing the child’s behavior, leading to hypotheses about the reasons behind challenging behavior.

    • Development of a Support Plan: The behavior support plan will encompass strategies for preventing challenging behaviors, teaching replacement skills, and ensuring that challenging behaviors are not reinforced.

Importance of Relationships

The Pyramid Model emphasizes the critical nature of nurturing and responsive relationships among children, families, and caregivers. This fundamental aspect of the pyramid serves as the foundation for all practices used in promoting social competence and guiding behavior.

  • Responsive Interactions: Caregivers and educators are urged to engage in positive interactions with children, fostering a connection that supports healthy emotional growth and the establishment of strong relationships.

  • Collaboration and Teamwork: Effective early childhood programs and intervention services depend on collaborative partnerships among all involved adults in a child's life, such as parents and caregivers, as well as professionals in educational and health services.

Universal Promotion Practices

Supportive Environments

Within both home and community settings, creating predictable and supportive environments is essential for promoting social and emotional development in children. This aspect includes:

  • Providing inclusive environments that allow for rich social contexts necessary for developing social skills and relationships.

  • Designing classrooms and programs that adhere to high standards of early education as recommended by the Division of Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children by:

    • Fostering comprehensive curricula that cover all developmental areas

    • Utilizing developmentally and culturally appropriate teaching methods

    • Ensuring safe and engaging physical environments that encourage active participation and appropriate behaviors

    • Employing positive guidance techniques for teaching rules and expectations, social skills, and structuring schedules to enhance engagement.

Conclusion and Resources

The Pyramid Model provides a structured framework that addresses the skill promotion and intervention needs of all young children, including those at risk of social-emotional delays and those facing persistent behavioral challenges. On the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) website, professionals can find various resources, including guidance, materials, tools, presentations, and family information, to support the effective implementation of this model. Engaging with the website regularly can ensure access to the latest information and training opportunities.