The problem: Schools are cutting recess and gym, high-quality movement opportunities are expensive, and screen time has risen dramatically in the past decade. 2 out of 3 children are NOT moving their bodies enough! This is contributing to learning and behavior challenges, poor mental and physical health, and faltering social skills.
The solution: Project Commotion blends physical activity, play, early childhood development, and neuroscience to create therapeutic movement programs that help children thrive physically, academically, and socio-emotionally. Students learn self-confidence, self-regulation, and empathy while building strong hearts, muscles, and bones.
Mission: Project Commotion's Mission is to foster healthy development in children of all abilities through purposeful movement, play, and family and community relationships.
Vision: We envision a world where every child can access movement and play to flourish physically, emotionally, and socially.
Who we serve:
Our movement programs are inclusive of students of all abilities, including students with special needs, and pay special attention to children who might be falling through the cracks -- undiagnosed, but in need of additional support.
74% of our students come from low-income backgrounds. We serve low-income families by providing free/sliding scale programming.
76% of our students are Latinx and 92% are students of color. We provide culturally relevant, bilingual (English/Spanish) programming.
Impact:
Our program participants are experiencing gains in the following areas:
Physical health: body coordination, endurance, flexibility, balance, etc.
Academic achievement: increased focus and motivation to learn, improved grades
Social development: the ability to self-regulate, express needs, cooperate, etc.
Sensory integration: the ability to recognize/adapt to stimuli: light, sound, etc.
The philosophy of Project Commotion is based on the belief that every person is an individual with unique experiences and perspectives, and a unique nervous system and body that affects how one functions in the world. Project Commotion's method is to meet children where they are, particularly based on their physical capabilities, sensory awareness, and brain development, and bridge them to the next step in their developmental process.
CORE VALUES:
RELATIONSHIPS
We build relationships directly with our students, their families, and the greater community. These relationships establish a foundation for the success of our programs, supporting the mind/body health of all individuals.
INTENTIONAL ENVIRONMENTS
We cultivate an intentional environment that is responsive to children’s needs by utilizing developmentally appropriate equipment, respecting individual boundaries, and maintaining an intimate teacher-student ratio.
EMBRACING PLAY
We recognize play as an important daily practice that is crucial for the development of people of all ages and stages of life.
MOVEMENT & SENSORY EXPERIENCES
Movement and sensory-motor experiences are fundamental to all that we do. Handstanding, spinning, hanging, crashing on mats, and cartwheeling encourages active brains and bodies that help children develop self-regulation and healthy social behavior.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
We are committed to creating an inclusive space that embraces all cultures, abilities, genders, socioeconomic backgrounds, and languages, ensuring equal access to all children and families that partner with us.
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES & WELLNESS
We encourage an active lifestyle and promote physical and emotional wellness by suggesting healthy food options, offering movement as an outlet for stress, and fostering human interaction.
