Pyramid is an educational method that combines playing, working and learning and thus stimulates children in their development in the playgroup and groups 1 and 2 in primary school. The program focuses on eight areas of development, which together encompass the entire development of the young child. This article describes some important components of the program (Van Kuyk, 2000, 2003; Ince, 2005).
Theoretical concepts
Pyramid consists of a pedagogical and a didactic component. The pedagogical component means that the teacher ensures a safe environment for the child. The didactic component means that the teacher is focused on optimizing the development of the child. She challenges children and gives direction to their development. She guides development by means of scaffolding. This allows the child to reach an optimal level of action, where they learn the most. The intervention level can be low, medium or high. Much help is given to children who need a lot of guidance and less to independent children.
Structure of the program
Pyramid is a cyclical annual project. Every two weeks, the teacher and / or teacher works on a project with the children. Twelve projects are organized every year. The same themes recur every year, but always at a higher level (the long-term cycle). A project follows four phases: orientation, demonstration, broadening and deepening (the short-term cycle). Within such a project, all kinds of activities ensure that all eight development areas are stimulated in the children. Elaborated ideas are available in project books, making the program easily transferable. The core of a project is the group program in which the leader / teacher takes the initiative to research a theme together with the children.
Tutoring
Tutoring is used for children who need extra attention. This is done in the form of pre-teaching. Individual children or very small groups receive extra and intensive learning time. A special tutor program has been written for each project that includes differentiations. The tutor prepares the child for the projects and helps the child learn basic concepts.
Rich playing learning environment
Pyramid works with a safe and rich play learning environment. We work with different angles, in which all development areas are covered.
Parent Involvement
Parental involvement is also an important part of the Pyramid Method. This is stimulated by the game walk-in, by the project activities, the parent week and parent evenings. Parents who do not yet speak the Dutch language are offered information and parent activities in their own language.
training
The teachers / teachers receive training of three modules of six days each over two years from a certified Pyramid Trainer. In addition, the teachers / teachers receive coaching on the work floor.
Interactive reading
Because there was too little attention for language in Piramide, a language component has been developed. Part of this is the book Interactieflezen. A reading book is central to each project. This book is read four times at an increasingly higher level. The sequence here is, just like in the project, orientation, demonstration, broadening and deepening. It is important that children participate interactively in the reading of the story (van Kuyk, 2005).