Alert Program
Tayla Hannagan COTA/L
Our bodies are like engines. Sometimes, our bodies do not have enough fuel to complete tasks to the best of our abilities. Other times we have a heavy foot, our bodies are running too fast to concentrate. During this "wildcard" circumstance, it is difficult to monitor our engine speed. We need a balanced engine speed in order to be calm, focused, alert, and orientated. Below are some ways we may feel if our engine speed is too low or too high. You can find brain gym exercises, sensory strategies, simple exercises and activities that can be done at home or in the classroom to get that balanced engine speed!
What is the "just right" Engine Speed?
The just right engine speed is the speed your body should be when you are ready to learn and complete daily tasks. Your brain and body should be calm, focused, alert and orientated. You are ready to learn, not easily distracted.
Low Engine Speed
Tired
Sick
Bored
Zoned out
Fatigued
Stressed
Sad
High Engine Speed
Hyper
Anxious
Overwhelmed
Angry
Excited
Feeling silly
Easily distracted
Restlessness
Strategies to get to just right from Low
Vestibular input stimulates your body and brain while increasing the ability to process new information. Vestibular activities include:
Jumping
Spinning
Dancing
Swinging
Twisting
Rocking chair
Bouncing on therapy ball
Bike riding
Hop scotch
Jumping jacks
Other simple exercises used to alert your brain and body when feeling low include:
Going for a walk
Drinking water
Wall push ups
Crab walks
Loud music
Simon says
Playing catch with a weighted ball
Brain Gym exercises are another way to alert your brain and body. See below for more details
Strategies to get to just right from High
Proprioceptive input is sensations from your joints that underlie body awareness. Proprioceptive activities include:
Thera-putty
Bear walks
Wall push ups
Heavy work
Taking trash out
Carrying heavy objects
Washing tables and windows
Sweeping
Joint compressions
Weighted vests, blankets, or lap pads
Squeezes
Hugs
Scooter board in prone
Weighted ball activities including catch and bowling
Other strategies used to calm your brain and body include:
Stretching
Yoga poses
Breathing exercises
Isometric push and pull of the hands exercises
Calm music
Dim lights
Brain Gym exercises are another great way to calm your brain and body
See below for more details on breathing exercises, isometric exercises and Brain Gym exercises
Brain Gym Exercises
Brain Gym® exercises are movement-based techniques that incorporate lengthening exercises, energy exercises, and crossing the midline of your body in order to increase focus, attention, emotional health and comprehension. Here is the link for a 4 step brain gym routine, PACE (Positive, Active, Clear and Energetic).
Step 1: Drink water to energize!
Step 3: Activate cross crawl by crossing the midline of your body by taking your elbow and bringing it to the opposite knee and then switch sides. Repeat 6 to 8 times.
Step 2: Activate brain buttons by resting one hand on your stomach. Other hand, place thumb & 2 fingers on indented area between your collarbone & 2nd rib. Rub these indents for 60 seconds with your eyes looking to the right and then across to the left. Do this eye movement at least 3 times. Then change hands and repeat.
Step 4: Activate Hook-ups by crossing legs at ankles, cross your hands, clasp and invert them and place on chest. Rest your tongue on roof of mouth. Eyes can be open or closed and relax. Uncross legs & hands and place fingertips of both hands together, fingertips touching. Breathe and relax.
Breathing Exercises
Using shapes and visuals is a great way to practice breathing exercises. Having a visual available helps to visualize breathing in and breathing out.
Lazy 8 and Star Breathing
Isometric Exercises
Yoga
Classroom Based Isometric Exercise Ideas for Teachers. (2020, March 11). Retrieved from https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/kids/resources/ot-activityinformation-sheets/classroom-based-isometric-exercise-ideas-for-teachers/
Halloran, J. (2017, June 23). Using Shapes to Teach Deep Breathing. Retrieved from https://copingskillsforkids.com/blog/using-shapes-to-teach-deep-breathing
Self-Regulation Alert Program® Online: AOTA Approved Provider. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.alertprogram.com/
Villaneda, A. (2019, May 1). BRAIN GYM: Simple Brain Gym Exercises to Awaken the Brain for Learning Readiness. Retrieved from https://ilslearningcorner.com/2017-01-brain-gym-simple-brain-gym-exercises-to-awaken-the-brain-for-learning-readiness/
Wenig, M. (2007, August 28). Discover Why Kids Need Yoga as Much as We Do. Retrieved from https://www.yogajournal.com/teach/yoga-for-kids