Social-emotional learning (SEL) forms the foundation for a child’s success in school, relationships, and life. Recognising its importance, educators and researchers have explored evidence-based strategies to enhance SEL in early education. One promising approach is the Pyramid Model, an early educational framework designed to promote social-emotional and behavioural development. In 2021, a pilot study investigated the effectiveness of the Pyramid Model in Victorian preschools, shedding light on its potential impact in Australian contexts.
What Is the Pyramid Model?
The Pyramid Model is a tiered framework that provides a systematic approach to fostering social-emotional skills in young children. Originally developed in North America, it integrates evidence-based practices to:
- Promote social-emotional skills: Teaching children to express emotions, build friendships, and resolve conflicts.
- Support children with behavioural challenges: Embedding tailored interventions within everyday routines.
- Integrate strategies for all children naturally: Ensuring inclusive practices that benefit diverse developmental needs.
The model’s tiered structure ensures increasing levels of support for children with greater needs, making it highly adaptable and scalable in early education settings.
The Victorian Preschool Pilot
The pilot study, led by Dr. Louise McLean and the late Janene Swalwell, aimed to test the Pyramid Model’s feasibility and effectiveness in four preschools across metropolitan Melbourne. Key questions included:
- Could educators implement the Pyramid Model with fidelity following training and coaching?
- Would the intervention improve educators’ teaching practices and perceptions of SEL?
- How would the Pyramid Model impact children’s social-emotional development?
Study Design
The study involved eight educators and 65 children aged 4-5. Schools were randomly assigned to intervention and contrast groups:
- Intervention group: Received 3 days of Pyramid Model training followed by 16 coaching sessions over six months.
- Contrast group: Received the same training but no coaching.
Educators’ implementation fidelity, children’s behaviour, and educators’ perceptions of SEL were assessed before and after the intervention.
Key Findings
The pilot study demonstrated promising results, highlighting the Pyramid Model’s potential to transform early education practices and outcomes.
Educators’ Implementation
Educators in the intervention group:
- Showed significant, sustained improvements in their teaching practices.
- Applied tiered practices more consistently, including intentional teaching of social-emotional skills such as emotion regulation, friendship-building, and conflict resolution.
- Increased their understanding of the importance of SEL.
Children’s Development
All participating children made notable progress in social-emotional development, but the intervention group experienced greater benefits:
- Children initially identified as having severe behavioural challenges were rated as no longer requiring intensive support by the end of the study.
- Significant improvements were observed in behaviours such as initiating friendships, expressing emotions, and problem-solving.
Broader Impact
Educators and preschool leaders were overwhelmingly positive about the Pyramid Model. Both preschool cluster groups involved in the study began planning for broader implementation across their schools.
Implications for Early Education
The study provides compelling evidence that the Pyramid Model can:
- Enhance the social-emotional skills of children with diverse needs.
- Equip educators with effective strategies to address behavioural challenges.
- Foster inclusive learning environments.
A key takeaway is that training alone is insufficient. Coaching and ongoing support are critical to achieving significant and lasting change in teaching practices.
Next Steps
The Pyramid Model’s success in this pilot study suggests exciting possibilities for its broader adoption in Australian early education. Future efforts could focus on:
- Expanding the model’s reach to more preschools and educators.
- Developing locally tailored resources to support implementation.
- Conducting larger-scale studies to strengthen the evidence base.
Resources
To learn more about the Pyramid Model and its application in Australia, visit: www.pyramidmodel.org.au
Conclusion
Promoting children’s social-emotional learning is essential for their lifelong wellbeing and success. The 2021 Victorian pilot of the Pyramid Model underscores its potential to create meaningful change in early education, fostering resilience, empathy, and positive relationships in young learners. By investing in evidence-based frameworks like the Pyramid Model, educators and communities can build brighter futures for all children.