The Pyramid Model is a framework of evidence-based practices for promoting young children’s healthy social and emotional development. The Pyramid Model was developed by two national, federally-funded research and training centers. These centers’ faculty represent nationally recognized researchers and program developers in the areas of social skills and challenging behavior.
Intervention which is comprised of practices related to individualized intensive interventions. The tertiary level of the Pyramid Model describes the need to provide individualized and intensive interventions to the very small number of children with persistent challenges.
- Individualized Intensive Interventions
- Family-centered, comprehensive interventions
- Assessment-based
- Skill-building
Prevention which represents practices that are targeted social emotional strategies to prevent problems. The prevention level includes the provision of targeted supports to children at risk of challenging behavior.
- Targeted Social Emotional Supports
- Explicit instruction and support
- Self-regulation, expressing and understanding emotions, developing social relationships and problem-solving
Universal supports for all children through nurturing and responsive relationships and high quality environments. At the universal level we include the practices needed to ensure the promotion of the social development of all children.
- High-Quality Environments
- Inclusive early care and education environments
- Supportive home environments
- Nurturing and Responsive Relationships
- Essential to healthy social development
- Includes relationships with children, families and team members
The model is supported at the foundation by an effective workforce. The foundation for all of the practices in the Pyramid Model are the systems and policies necessary to ensure a workforce able to adopt and sustain these evidence-based practices.
Interested in visiting a model classroom?
Additional Resources
Iowa EC-PBIS Model Classroom Observation Guideline
Classroom Implementation
EC-PBIS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is an Iowa EC-PBIS Model Classroom?
- A model classroom is an environment which consistently implements the Pyramid Model practices at a high level of fidelity.
- The intent of model classrooms is to celebrate implementation and to offer practitioners an opportunity to see the Pyramid Model in action.
- To be considered for a model classroom the classroom teacher must have two consecutive observations using the Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT) or the Teaching Pyramid Infant Toddler Observation Scale (TPITOS) in the past two years which meet the following criteria:
- 80% or greater overall average
- Minimum of 60% in all key practice areas
- No Red Flags
