For decades, those working in early childhood education and clinical settings have intuitively known that early intervention matters. What’s become increasingly clear through recent research is just how far those early gains extend and how important it is to include communities that have historically been underrepresented in large-scale studies.
A recent study shared by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) examined the long-term impact of a non-means-tested preschool program that prioritized Indigenous families. The preschool was funded by an Indigenous organization and provided free tuition and admissions preference to Indigenous children. This unique structure not only honored community leadership but also created an opportunity to study outcomes within a population that is too often left out of education policy research.
Where Self-Regulation Fits In
At the Alert Program®, we’ve seen this firsthand. While we don’t provide preschool programs ourselves, our tools and training are used in early education settings around the world. These include Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) agencies, tribal health organizations, and communities serving Indigenous populations in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
What we offer is simple and powerful: a way for children to notice and manage their internal state using clear metaphors and real-world sensorimotor strategies. When children learn to “check their engines” and adjust their alert levels, they begin building lifelong self-regulation skills.
This type of body-first, self-awareness-based learning complements broader early childhood goals and lays the groundwork for long-term outcomes like those found in the NIEER study.
A Global Perspective Rooted in Cultural Wisdom
The NIEER study is especially important because of who it centers on. Too often, Indigenous populations are excluded from large-scale educational data. Yet many of these communities have long-standing traditions that prioritize regulation, community care, and whole-person development. When early education programs are led by Indigenous organizations, we not only increase access, we honor, sustain, and amplify that wisdom.
We’ve seen the value of this approach in action. For example, a national pilot in New Zealand implemented the Alert Program® in schools, early learning centers, and prisons, and it produced measurable outcomes across diverse settings. Teachers consistently used the language and tools, and families noticed improvements at home. These stories echo what the NIEER study found. When we support regulation early and with respect to culture, we set up children for long-term success.
Final Thought
For educators, therapists, and program leaders around the world, this study offers both affirmation and direction. Invest in early tools, especially those that support self-regulation, and partner with the communities you serve to do it.
When children learn to regulate themselves first, everything else becomes more possible. Academic success, stability, and even long-term earnings can all be positively shaped by what we teach early on.
The Alert Program® Online Course and Your Best Self Online Course help individuals integrate these self-regulation principles into daily life. Whether you’re a professional supporting others or seeking personal strategies for managing alertness, the course provides structured, research-based techniques to improve focus, alert levels, and cognitive flexibility. To gain deeper insights and learn actionable techniques for self-regulation, explore the Alert Program® Online Course today!
Explore the Alert Program® Online Course and Your Best Self: The Alert Program® for All, or contact us for group discounts.
References:
- Friedman-Krauss, A. H., Barnett, W. S., Hodges, K. S., Garver, K. A., Duer, J., Weisenfeld, G., & Siegel, J. (2025). The State of Preschool 2024: State Preschool Yearbook. National Institute for Early Education Research. https://nieer.org/yearbook/2024 National Academies Press
- California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare. (n.d.). Alert Program®. Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://www.cebc4cw.org/program/alert-program/detailed
- American Occupational Therapy Association. (n.d.). AOTA approved providers. https://www.aota.org/career/professional-development/approved-providers
