How the two approaches compare
Both promote young children's social and emotional development. They aren't the same.
| Attribute | IECMHC | The Pyramid Model |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A prevention-based service. A mental health consultant works with the adults who care for young children and helps them support healthy social and emotional development. | A positive behavioral intervention and support framework. It helps ECE providers build skills through a set of practices called the Inventory of Practices for Promoting Children's Social Emotional Competence. |
| Who delivers it | Consultants who are licensed or license-eligible, or who come from an early childhood education background with specialized IECMH training. They have specialized knowledge in child development, the effects of stress and trauma, and the impact of adult mental health on the developing child. | ECE providers implementing the practices, sometimes supported by a Pyramid Model coach who focuses exclusively on implementation with fidelity. |
| What they bring | Mental health training and consultation skills. The consultant uses them to assess a child, caregiver, or program and choose the best approach. There's no prescribed or manualized package. | A prescribed, manualized set of practices, such as greeting children by name, defining boundaries in learning centers, and teaching children social skills. |
