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What is the Pyramid of Learning and why is it important?
Williams and Shellenberger (1996) formulated this pyramid of learning and it highlights how sensory integration processing relates to the child’s learning process.
This simple visual aide explains how academic learning, daily living activities (like brushing your teeth and getting dressed), even how your child behaves; it all grows and develops from a strong sensory foundation.
https://www.smartpediatrics.com/post/understandingsensoryprocessing
We dive into WHAT the Pyramid of Learning is, we talk about the different levels and how they build upon each other, and we talk about what you as a therapist, parent, or educator can do to help the children in your life develop and thrive while using the Pyramid of Learning as a framework!
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The Beauty of Building Rapport
In 1996, Williams and Shellenberger unveiled the pyramid of learning model, highlighting the crucial roles of sensory integration, sensory processing, and reflex development in a child's educational journey. This framework underscores the importance of these elements in comprehending how children learn.
It also suggests that addressing developmental delays in these areas can profoundly impact a child's learning and overall development. This model provides a helpful guide for educators and parents in understanding the various aspects of education and how to support children in their educational journey.
The learning pyramid is structured as a pyramid or triangle, with the central nervous system (CNS) forming its base. The CNS is vital for receiving, processing, and reacting to sensory information, playing a pivotal role in controlling physiological functions such as respiration, heart rate, blood circulation, and maintaining homeostasis.
Effective processing and modulation of this sensory input are essential for progressing to further developmental milestones, including sensory-motor development and reflex maturity. This phase focuses on the development of primitive reflexes and body schema, which is the awareness of the position and parts of one's body.
Furthermore, it includes filtering sensory input, enabling people to efficiently interpret and respond to auditory, visual, or kinesthetic information. This skill is vital for developing adaptive responses incorporating motor and sensory reactions, facilitating meaningful and effective interaction with one's surroundings.
Essential aspects of motor development involve sustaining postural control, harmonizing the movements of both body halves, and executing movements with precision. Therefore, the capability to hold an upright position, integrate movements across the body, master new motor abilities, coordinate both sides of the body seamlessly, and understand this entire process is indispensable.
Refocusing on the central nervous system, its critical role in sensory processing and motor development emphasizes their interdependence. A deficiency or absence in one foundational area invariably affects subsequent levels, resulting in deficiencies or gaps in those areas.
In this environment, learners enhance and perfect their control over visual, auditory, and postural functions, covering essential abilities such as hand-eye coordination, ocular motor skills, and posture adjustments. This could manifest as:
The final stage encompasses behaviors and daily tasks, known as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), including personal care, hygiene, social skills, and academic performance. When a child struggles with academic aspects, whether it's understanding new mathematical concepts, reading, writing, or interacting with peers, it's essential to investigate the underlying reasons.
A child's growth, encompassing their central nervous system, reflexes, and sensory capabilities, critically depends on their feeling of safety, connection, and security. This feeling of security must be the primary focus, whether offered by therapists, parents, caregivers, teachers, or any professionals interacting with the child.
As a parent collaborating with an occupational therapist, it's crucial to voice this concern if you notice a disconnect between the therapist and your child. It might be necessary to explore changing therapists to guarantee that your child experiences a sense of security and support.
Developing strategies to transform therapy, educational, and home settings into sanctuaries of happiness and safety is crucial. These environments play a key role in shielding the child’s central nervous system from being constantly in a state of fight or flight, thereby fostering ideal conditions for developmental and educational advancements.
The pyramid of learning is crucial for educators and parents. Focusing on each level, addressing deficiencies or delays, and providing a secure, supportive environment can build a strong foundation for a child’s well-being and educational success.
Exploring primal, foundational movements rooted in our earliest developmental stages is essential, especially for children encountering difficulties. For older children and adults engaging in these activities, the process includes crawling, rolling in multiple directions, climbing obstacles, and fostering physical connections through embraces.
Adopting a yoga practice transcends the perfection of poses and movements; it's about cultivating a harmonious blend of mindfulness, breathwork, and physical alignment. In today's swift currents, many children are caught in the grip of shallow, rapid breathing, missing the profound benefits of deep, restorative breaths.
Yoga poses such as cat-cows and the seamless transition from downward dog to cobra pose are aesthetically pleasing and crucial for calming primitive reflexes. Rotational poses significantly improve digestion, while backbends boost alertness, and forward bends tranquilize the central nervous system.
It is advisable to consult a developmental optometrist for an expert assessment to ascertain whether vision therapy is appropriate for your child. They can offer customized exercises to improve ocular motor skills, such as saccades and pursuits, along with convergence and divergence, enhancing the overall visual functionality.
Several entertaining games you can easily incorporate into your home activities:
Recognizing and accommodating individual sensory preferences is crucial for effectively addressing sensory needs. Engaging in activities that allow for the exploration of various senses improves sensory integration.
By focusing on the foundational elements of the pyramid of learning and addressing each child's unique needs, we can establish a robust base that underpins their comprehensive development and well-being. It's essential to recognize that every child is distinct and has varying needs, making it vital to approach their growth with an open mind, patience, and flexibility.
This strategy guarantees creating an environment that fosters every child's development and accomplishment. Children are empowered to overcome challenges and realize their highest potential by providing appropriate support, empathy, and guidance.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
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Nicole Melin
March 21, 2024
Thanks for highlighting the work of Williams and Shellenberger. I love forwarding your relevant podcasts to my teaching colleagues and this will definitely be one of those podcasts relevant to the classroom!
Nicole OT in Dayton Ohio!