Program-Wide Pyramid Model Implementation

Kids Thrive Maryland is proud to support statewide efforts to implement the Pyramid Model Framework, including program-wide implementation efforts.

What Is the Pyramid Model?

The Pyramid Model is a tiered framework that supports the healthy social-emotional development of infants and young children. It emphasizes:

  • Universal practices that promote positive relationships and supportive environments for all children.
  • Targeted supports for children who need additional help developing social-emotional skills.
  • Individualized interventions for children with persistent challenging behaviors.

This model is used in classrooms, child care centers, family child care homes, and in early intervention programs across Maryland to create inclusive, responsive, and emotionally supportive learning environments.

 

Program-Wide Implementation Support

Implementing the Pyramid Model across an entire program creates a consistent, supportive environment for children, families, and staff. Our team partners with early childhood programs to guide them through a structured, sustainable process that builds internal capacity and promotes long-term success.

Our support includes:

  • Leadership Team Development
    We help programs establish strong leadership teams that drive implementation, monitor progress, and ensure alignment with program goals.
  • Staff Training & Professional Development
    We provide tailored training on Pyramid Model practices, including strategies for promoting social-emotional skills, preventing challenging behavior, and responding effectively when it occurs.
  • Onsite and Virtual Coaching
    Our experienced coaches work directly with educators to model practices, offer feedback, and support continuous improvement. Additionally, we can support your team in building internal coaches to support the sustainability of your efforts.
  • Data-Based Decision Making
    We guide programs in collecting and using implementation data (e.g., Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool – TPOT, Teaching Pyramid Infant and Toddler Observation Scale – TPITOS, Benchmarks of Quality) to inform planning and track progress.
  • Family Engagement Strategies
    We support programs in building strong partnerships with families, recognizing their role in promoting children’s social-emotional development.

Why Implement the Pyramid Model?

Research shows that programs implementing the Pyramid Model with fidelity experience:

  • Improved child outcomes
    Children demonstrate stronger social-emotional skills, fewer behavioral challenges, and better readiness for school.
  • Enhanced educator confidence and competence
    Staff report feeling more equipped to support children’s behavior and emotional needs.
  • Reduced suspension and expulsion rates
    Programs using the Pyramid Model see significant reductions in exclusionary discipline practices.
  • Stronger program climate
    Implementation fosters a more positive, inclusive, and collaborative environment for children and adults alike.

We are in a better place than where you found us

Implementation Site Director about Impact of Pyramid Model Implementation

Interested in getting program-wide Pyramid Model implementation support for your program?

Click on the link below to share some initial information with our team.

Request for Program-Wide Implementation

Maryland’s 1st Cohort of Pyramid Model Implementation Sites

Implementation Site Pilot Program

In the Fall of 2022, we launched our first Pyramid Model Implementation Site pilot program. After reviewing several applications, we selected 5 implementation sites to participate in our inaugural cohort. These programs are working with a trained Pyramid Model coach over the course of 2-3 years to accomplish full implementation of the model, including: 1) PM Leadership Team; 2) Annual completion and review of a program-wide fidelity measure; 3) Staff-wide training​; 4) Classroom-wide fidelity tools completed; 5) Staff engaged in coaching cycles.

Kiddie Academy of Kent Island

  • Queen Anne’s County; Stevensville, MD
  • Message from Program Director: “We are seeking support to create a school wide language to deal with challenging behaviors, more tools to use with those same behaviors as children have changed in the last few years behaviorally, with significantly more needs and classroom staff need support”

Rainbow Child Development Center

  • Prince George’s County; Bowie, MD
  • Message from Program Director: “Post pandemic we can see the impact on the children emotionally and I am excited for the additional support to help our children and to help our teachers. We have been on our own.”

Greenbelt Children’s Center

  • Prince George’s County; Greenbelt, MD
  • Message from Program Director: “Engaging in this pilot would provide staff with support and resources necessary to effectively meet the needs of children who are delayed socially and emotionally largely due to COVID. This will help our dedicated staff not suffer from burnout as they relentlessly try to continue to make a positive difference with the children we serve. Additionally, engaging in this pilot could help support our family engagement as we attempt to educate the families about some of the causes and strategies to use to address some of the behaviors we are seeing at school and they are seeing at home.”

Bradley Hills Presbyterian Nursery School

  • Montgomery County; Bethesda, MD
  • Message from Program Director: “BHPCNS is a unique community nursery school. While we are situated in an affluent part of Montgomery County, we have multiple families who receive scholarship aide to attend our program. While overwhelmingly we are a school where the majority of children are considered privileged, the reality is affluence doesn’t prevent a child from having developmental or cognitive challenges. We fund all the interventions we provide, extra or special equipment, consultant fees, screening fees, additional staffing/shadows when needed and more to provide the children in our care with the supports they need to be successful. Adding a comprehensive training using the Pyramid Model would be another way for BHPCNS to provide the best possible learning environment for all the children in our care, not just those with special needs. The majority of the staff at BHPCNS is long-tenured and come from a variety of backgrounds. More than 50% of our staff had children attend BHPCNS and they have chosen to work here to provide the same love and play-based early childhood experience to a new generation of children, which allowed their children to thrive in their formal academic years. We are a dedicated staff who believe all children deserve a safe, happy, and loving first exposure to school.”

Head Start/Early Head Start of Washington County

  • Washington County; Hagerstown, MD
  • Message from Program Director: “We are proud of the fact that we have managed to continue to move forward with PBIS/Pyramid Model initiatives even through the COVID-19 Pandemic. We have had setbacks, but also were able to keep going. We are still experiencing staffing issues, but again, continue to move forward because we believe that it is a real answer to the increase in challenging behaviors that we see in our classrooms.”

Pyramid Model Implementation is Supported by Program Implementation Coaches

What do our program implementation coaches do?

  • Establish and support the Pyramid Model Program Leadership Team within participating child care programs to identify goals, develop a work plan, and review data to monitor progress
  • Deliver training for all staff
  • Conduct observations using fidelity measurement tool(s): TPOT and/or TPITOS
  • Engage with educators in individualized coaching, using the Practice Based Coaching cycle
  • Enter data documenting training, observation, and coaching interactions
  • Attend a monthly community of practice facilitated by the PIEC team

Meet our Program Implementation Coaches!

“I am always excited to share knowledge with early childhood educators.  I want them to know that the Pyramid Model is not just something else to do in the classroom, it is about establishing classroom practices that help children learn and use necessary social skills.”

Contact Janiecka Brown 

Working this last year as a Pyramid Model Coach has been very exciting. The teachers have implemented strategies in their classrooms supporting the children’s social and emotional development. Watching the children respond and learn to use their words and go to the Calm Down area when they need a break has been wonderful. The most exciting event was the participation of 15 families in the Positive Solutions for Families training program. This provides the children with support at home and at school in developing strong social skills. I look forward to continuing this work in the future.

Contact Joan Johnson

I am excited about the pyramid model implementation because I get to help and guide people. I am passionate about helping others succeed. So, this is a good opportunity for future development.

Contact LaToya Harper-Williams 

I am excited about being a Pyramid Model program coach because of my deep commitment to the field and enthusiasm for collaborating with childcare providers to foster best practices in early childhood education.

 

I am so excited to serve as one of the Pyramid Model Implementation Coaches for Maryland’s Early Mental Health Pilot Program. I’m so proud of Maryland for investing in Early Mental Health and striving to decrease preschool suspension & expulsion rates throughout the state. I’m already enjoying working with this amazing team of PM Coaches. And I look forward to continuing to wrap our youngest learners in another layer of intentional support in collaboration with their families and teachers.

Contact Maimunah Marah

I am most excited for the opportunity to work collaboratively to personalize the Pyramid Model resources to meet the demographics of the program and to see the positive impact for the children, families, and the educators.

Contact Michele Hall

I am most excited for the opportunity to work collaboratively to personalize the Pyramid Model resources to meet the demographics of the program and to see the positive impact for the children, families, and the educators.

Contact Stephanie Schaefer

Contact Laura Seminario-Thorton

Interested in becoming a program coach?

Email us to learn more: PIEC@ssw.umaryland.edu