The document summarizes the Pyramid educational method for children ages 3-6. It was created in 1994 in the Netherlands and takes a holistic approach to learning. The method involves interactive storytelling, physical and cognitive activities, and strong parental involvement through similar activities at home. It aims to help children gain confidence through exploration while still providing adult guidance and protection.

1. Adapted by:
Paula Davenport
Miranda Leickly
Beth Sigurdson

2. “The paradoxical goal of raising children is that
we hold them close so that they have the
confidence to move away from us.”
- Dr. Jef van Kuyk

3. About Pyramid
• Created by Dr. Jef van
Kuyk in the Netherlands
in 1994
• Holistic and balanced
• Helps teachers:
– Understand short and long
term cycles of learning
– Plan
– Be more effective in
broadening and deepening
children’s learning

4. Pyramid in
Action
• Educational method for children
between the ages of three to six
• Schedule:
– Three-year-olds:
• At least four mornings or afternoons
of preschool a week
– Four to six year olds:
• Five days a week
• Favorable teacher-child ratio
(1:12)
– Tutor available as preventative
measure
• Strong parental involvement
– Parents engage in similar
activities at home as children do
in school

5. Interactive Storytelling
Step One – Orientation

6. Interactive Storytelling
Step Two – Demonstration

7. Interactive Storytelling
Step Three – Broadening

8. Interactive Storytelling
Step Four – Deepening

9. Philosophy
• Education is the responsibility of
the adult
– Adult tends to and protects the
child on course toward self-
determination
• The adult:
– Remains close to the vulnerable
child who is unable to perform
daily tasks on his or her own
– Simultaneously encourages the
child to move away from the adult
• Risk-taking to explore the world
around them

10. Four Cornerstones

11. Method Content
1. Emotional Intelligence
2. Physical Intelligence
3. Cognitive Intelligence

12. Pyramid Programs
• Play program
• Projects
– Orientation
– Demonstration
– Broadening
– Deepening
• Tutoring program
• Parent program

13. Projects
Pyramid projects offer children a
structured environment
– Each project book contains 12
projects
– Projects last about 3-4 weeks
– Books follow a sequential
developmental line
– Projects contain the following
sections:
• Learning framework
• Optimizing children’s development
through their own initiative and the
teacher’s initiative
• Promoting parent partnerships
through authentic involvement
• Planning
• Resources
• Proactive tutoring

14. References
•
• Pyramid Post. (2006). In D. Neubauer-van Dijk (Ed.), Cito USA. Retrieved
March 20, 2009, from http://www.cito.com
• Roopnarine, J. L., & Johnson, J. E. (2005). Approached to early childhood
education (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.
Smith, C. G. (2008). Inspired cognition: A revolutionary four-step process.
Interactive storytelling. Symposium conducted at the NESA Winter
Training Institute. Retrieved from
www.nesacenter.org/storage/content-pages/conferences/wti-2008/Inter
• van Kuyk, J. (2001, June 1). Pyramid Educational Method for 3 to 6-Year-
Old Children: Theory and Research. (ERIC Document Reproduction
Service No. ED455005) Retrieved March 25, 2009, from ERIC database.
• van Kuyk, J., & Centraal Inst. voor Toetsonwikkeling, A. (1997, September
1). The Pyramid Project. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No.
ED420369) Retrieved March 24, 2009, from ERIC database.