Alerting Strategies — When You Need to Wake Up the Brain

When alerting input helps

Some mornings the body just won't switch on. Some afternoons hit a wall after lunch. Some kids zone out during a long task. Alerting input is the answer.

It's the OPPOSITE of calming — it should feel sharper, brighter, snappier.

Try these (most to least intense)

• Trampoline bouncing or jumping jacks (huge vestibular).
• Cold water on the wrists or face.
• Crunchy snack — pretzels, apples, ice chips.
• Cold sour drink through a straw.
• Sing along to upbeat music while moving.
• Quick crab-walk or animal-walks across the room.
• A 30-second 'shake it out' dance break.

Pair alerting + organizing

Alerting input is great for the first 60 seconds, but kids settle into focus better when it's followed by organizing input — heavy work, deep pressure, or a quiet structured task. Wake up, then channel.