Pyramid Model Basics
This framework supports young children’s social-emotional development.
What is The Pyramid Model?
This builds trust and connection with children.
What are positive relationships?
These supports are for children who need more than Tier 1.
What are targeted supports?
This tier is for children with persistent challenging behavior.
What is Tier 3?
A child cries every drop-off. What should you strengthen first?
What is relationships (Tier 1)?
The Pyramid Model has this many tiers
What are 3 Tiers? All children get Tier 1. Fewer need Tier 2. Very few need Tier 3.
Name one way to build relationships with children.
What is greeting, eye contact, play, etc.
These are skills you explicitly teach at this level.
What are social-emotional skills?
These plans are individualized for the child.
What are behavior support plans?
A child has shown consistent challenges with sharing. What tier should you focus on with them?
What is Tier 2?
The base of the pyramid focuses on these two things.
What are relationships and supportive environments?
These help children know what to expect each day.
What are predictable routines?
Name one skill you might teach.
What is sharing, emotions, turn-taking, calming, etc.,
This process helps understand why behavior is happening.
What is functional behavior assessment?
A child hits during transitions. Where do you start?
What is Tier 1? Remember, we always start with Tier 1. Transitions are a huge trigger—what would you do?
True or False: You start at Tier 3 when behavior is challenging.
What is False? We always start at the bottom.
This prevents many challenging behaviors before they start.
What is a supportive environment?
These often happen in small groups.
What is targeted instruction?
Name one person who might help at this level.
What is family, specialist, therapist, coach, etc.,
A child continues challenging behavior after supports. Next step?
What is Tier 3? Children who continue to have challenges after supports may benefit from more intensive interventions (Tier 3). Behaviors can be a huge trigger for caregivers and providers—how do you have these conversations with families?
Why do long-term outcomes for children improve when using the Pyramid Model?
What is because the Pyramid Model builds strong social-emotional skills early, which support better behavior, relationships, and school readiness over time? Can you give an example of a long-term outcome you’ve seen improve from your personal experiences?
Give one example of modifying the environment to support behavior.
What are Visual schedules, clear centers, reducing wait time, etc.,
True or False: Tier 2 replaces Tier 1.
What is False? You always keep Tier 1 going.
True or False: Many children need Tier 3 supports.
What is False? If many kids need Tier 3, Tier 1 needs strengthening.
Act out your favorite strategy to use when helping a child calm down.
What is deep breathing, calm-down corner, visuals, etc.,