Pyramid Model Learning Communities Regional Newsletter

Participants will explore how the Pyramid Model Framework informs implementation approaches for supporting social emotional development in all young children in our communities through nurturing and responsive relationships.

 

 

 

 

There were 15 participants at the Fall PMLC in Lawrence. The group was a mix of people who are new to the Pyramid Model as well as seasoned veterans who shared their contagious energy about how the Pyramid has impacted their programs over the past several years. 

 

We did watch the video together giving an overview of the model and we discussed the resource list in depth.  Some of the “veterans” shared specific resources that they have found helpful.

 

In small groups, participants reviewed the materials we had provided and identified the ways their programs are supporting families, children and staff through relationship building.  They also spent time identifying goals for NEW ways of building community and relationships in their programs.  There was lively discussion and question and answer as participants shared thoughts and ideas.

 

 

There were 7 participants at the Fall PMLC in Worcester. Our participants included Preschool teachers, CFCEs, Behavior specialists, and a person from the Discovery Children’s museum in Acton.

 

We did a brief review of the Pyramid Model and discussed the state’s plan to bring the Pyramid Model community wide with the hope that the PMLCs will help facilitate this goal. In addition, it was discussed that completing community BOQ was a long- term goal. 

 

We went through the slides and discussed some of the barriers and benefits to building positive relationships with families, children, and other staff.  It was discussed that it is crucial to have the same message for all these groups (common language) and discussed how building relationships might look in different environments represented today. Discussion led to how supervisors help staff be self-reflective about their practices in regards relationships.

 

Pyramid websites were discussed as resources to support and enhance their work on the Pyramid.

 

 

This PMLC was attended by 23 early childhood professionals representing a variety of early childhood programming, including family child care, head start, CFCE, home visiting, community based child care, public school, early childhood mental health consultation and advocacy.

 

The conversation was lively and primarily focused on understanding the importance of responsive relationships in the context of managing challenging behavior. Professionals expressed concerns regarding their ability to address the ongoing needs of children with challenging behavior, how response to challenging behavior can impact relationships, and frustration with lack of support from parents and family members in addressing challenging behavior. Participants were able to offer support to one another and share strategies that have worked in their settings to support nurturing and responsive relationships with children and families.

 

There is much interest in the region to continue these conversations on a regular basis.  Using the Responsive Caregiving Checklist, as a small group activity helped to put all the pieces of the large group conversation together.  One of the participants expressed a desire to see a PLMC offered in other languages, including Spanish and Portuguese.