The Pyramid Model

The Pyramid Model is an evidence-based framework that promotes healthy social and emotional development as a way to address challenging behavior. This model is a tiered approach built on the foundation of an effective workforce that provides universal supportive environments and nurturing relationships to all children. The secondary tier focuses on targeted social-emotional teaching to children who need additional support in developing social-emotional skills. The top tier targets those children whose needs have not been met through the previous tiers and need additional support through individualized interventions.

The following training topics are available upon request:

Pyramid Model Modules:

Introduction to Pyramid Model is required prior to all Foundational Modules.
*These modules recommended after a foundational understanding of the Pyramid Model Framework has been established

Building Strong Brains Tennessee

The future prosperity of any society depends on its ability to foster the health and well-being of the next generation. When Tennessee invests wisely in children and families, the next generation will pay that back through a lifetime of productivity and responsible citizenship. Early experiences literally shape how the brain gets built, establishing either a sturdy or a fragile foundation for all of the development and behavior that follows. A strong foundation in the early years increases the probability of positive outcomes. This presentation will explore how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) harm the developing brains and bodies of children compromising the foundation for lifelong health. The ACE research has resulted in child abuse and neglect being acknowledged as a major public health problem and a leading cause of early death.  From academic failure to alcoholism, from crime to cancer, presence of ACEs compromise the safety, tax dollars and quality of life for all Tennesseans. This presentation will also identify community-based strategies to prevent and mitigate ACEs and build resilience. Understanding the ACE research deepens professional knowledge across sectors and creates a common language for collectively addressing community challenges. This presentation is supported by Building Strong Brains: Tennessee ACEs Initiative, a public-private partnership working to change the culture of Tennessee’s early childhood philosophy from “What is wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” This shift results in a more effective, more empathic approach to the design of early childhood programs and policies.

  1. Understand how brain architecture is established early in life and supports lifelong learning, behavior, and health.
  2. Describe the role of safe, caring relationships and “serve and return” interactions in shaping brain architecture.
  3. Understand the impact of toxic stress on neurodevelopment and biological functioning across the lifespan.
  4. Introduce the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) research and related poor social, emotional, and physical health outcomes.
  5. Recognize the dynamic micro and macro approaches to building resilience in children and communities to support positive outcomes to benefit citizens’ shared prosperity.
  6. Identify innovative, evolving public health strategies to improve population health.

Positive Solutions for Families

Positive Solutions for Families is a six-session series designed to help families promote healthy social emotional development in young children. Parents and caregivers will learn how to use positive approaches and effective parenting techniques to improve interactions with their child(ren), which in turn will support social and emotional development and address challenging behaviors. Positive Solutions for Families is hosted for 1.5 hour sessions over the course of six weeks.  

Selected Topics in Children’s Social Emotional Learning

Don’t see what you’re looking for? We’d be happy to discuss a training option that fits your needs. Contact us through the “Request a Training” form below to learn more

Programs