WORDS: Shannon Evans
In a lively preschool classroom, excited children gather around a tub of water. Four-year-old Jackson grips a shiny metal spoon.
“What do you think, friends—will it sink or float?” the teacher asks as Jackson carefully drops the spoon into the water. It plummets to the bottom with a soft thud, and the class erupts in chatter. Next, Jackson picks up a bright rubber duck. He holds his breath and releases it into the tub, watching in awe as it bobs to the surface. “It floats!” he exclaims, grinning.
This simple “Sink or Float” experiment isn’t just a moment of fun – it’s the spark of discovery, the first step in nurturing little minds to explore, question, and grow. And it’s all part of Learning Beyond Paper, an innovative curriculum gaining momentum in Manatee County’s child care centers and preschools.
What’s Learning Beyond Paper?
Approved by the Florida Department of Education and now available in 29 child care centers in Manatee County, Learning Beyond Paper helps children from infants to pre-K develop the skills they need to thrive in kindergarten and beyond. This digital curriculum weaves together everything from social skills and storytelling to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) in one seamless experience, with 52 weeks of lesson plans and over 4,000 daily activities. Learning Beyond Paper is not just a way to teach; it’s about turning every day into an adventure full of questions, discoveries, and a whole lot of smiles—and it gives Manatee County providers a leading edge in early education.
The curriculum is a gift for teachers, too. Each lesson comes with built-in teacher training, meaning even the newest educators can jump right in, confident and ready to inspire. In total, the curriculum includes over 15 training hours and over 20 professional development hours.
“Our mission is to bring early education into the 21st century,” says Dr. Corinne Muller, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Learning Beyond Paper. “We’re here to build up teachers and help create lifelong learners out of every child.”
Blending Digital Magic with Real-World Fun
What makes Learning Beyond Paper so special? It blends the best of both worlds: the excitement of digital learning with the joy of real-world, hands-on activities.
“The beauty of Learning Beyond Paper is that it speaks to every learning style,” says Melissa Cujas, Director of Provider Quality and Child Development at the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC). One minute, kids are building towers with blocks; the next, they’re exploring nature or creating an art masterpiece.
And that’s where the magic truly happens. From toddlers learning their shapes with colorful blocks to pre-K kids experimenting with cause and effect in water play, every activity feels more like a playful adventure than a lesson. It’s fun and engaging, and it helps kids build skills like teamwork, communication, and resilience without even realizing it.
Christine Vojnikovic, Director of Smarty Pants Preschool, couldn’t agree more. “The hands-on STEAM activities spark curiosity and critical thinking, and they build fine motor skills,” she says. “Plus, the online resources have transformed the learning experience for our students as well as lesson planning for our teachers.”
Another provider, Countryside Academy for Children, is in its third year using Learning Beyond Paper. “Our teachers love the activities and lesson plans,” says Director Yirian Almendares. “We use the assessments three times a year to share with parents, and they’re easy for both teachers and parents to understand.”
Ready, Set, Kindergarten!
Kindergarten readiness is more than knowing your ABCs or counting to ten. It’s about having the confidence to explore, the skills to solve problems, and the ability to make friends and work as a team. Thanks to Learning Beyond Paper, Manatee County’s preschoolers are not just learning—they’re thriving. They gain the skills that will carry them through school and beyond while having a blast along the way.
For the teachers, it’s a chance to make each lesson engaging and effective. And for the kids, it’s a learning path where every day is filled with new skills, discoveries, and genuine growth.
To learn more about this exciting curriculum that’s giving our little ones a head start, visit www.learningbeyondpaper.com. Their future looks bright, and it’s already taking shape—one curious question, one joyful experiment, and one rubber duck at a time.
