Pyramid Model

The DEC Recommended Practices were developed to provide guidance to practitioners and families about the most effective ways to improve the learning outcomes and promote the development of young children, birth through fie years of age, who have or are at-risk for developmental delays or disabilities.  The DEC Recommended Practices support children’s access and participation in inclusive settings and natural environments and address cultural, linguistic, and ability diversity.

These practices are based on the best-available empirical evidence and the belief that when practitioners and families have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to implement them, children are more likely to achieve positive outcomes and their highest potential. In order to achieve positive learning outcomes by practicing existing skills or learning new skills, children need to be actively engaged in activities that take place in everyday, real life settings.  In addition, child engagement provides an opportunity for adults to interact with children in ways that encourage and support their learning.  Your child’s teacher has participated in an intensive training on student engagement.  Through practice-based coaching, our teachers are in the process of implementing these recommended practices on a daily basis.

In class, the Pyramid Model uses predictable schedules, gives teachers several helpful teaching tools, one example is routines3 – routines within routines within routines – and focuses on enhancing engagement levels between students and their peers, adults, and materials used.