Learning Beyond Paper (LBP) is a fully digital, research-based early childhood curriculum designed for infants through Pre-K. Aligned with state standards, CLASS, Head Start, and DRDP, LBP provides 52 weeks of lesson plans and over 4,000 engaging, developmentally appropriate activities—all accessible from any device.
The curriculum is designed to save teachers time while ensuring high-quality instruction. With Elby, the AI-powered Virtual Instructional Coach, teachers receive real-time support, teaching strategies, and activity modifications to meet the diverse needs of all learners. LBP also integrates free professional development through Learning Beyond University, offering educators PQAS- and TECPDS-approved training.
LBP eliminates the need for bulky materials and expensive add-ons, making it an affordable, easy-to-use solution for schools and childcare programs. Directors benefit from a cost-effective, per-location pricing model, while mixed-age lessons provide flexibility for family childcare settings.
With built-in social-emotional learning, multilingual support, and hands-on activities, Learning Beyond Paper ensures that teachers feel confident, children stay engaged, and administrators have a streamlined solution for high-quality early education.
Format/platform:
Learning Beyond Paper is a fully digital curriculum accessible on any internet-connected device, making it easy for teachers to plan and implement lessons anytime, anywhere. The cloud-based curriculum ensures seamless access for teachers, administrators, and directors, eliminating the need for physical materials while maximizing flexibility and efficiency in the classroom.
Primary URL:
Problem solved:
Learning Beyond Paper (LBP) helps early childhood educators by providing a fully digital, easy-to-implement curriculum designed to save time, support teachers, and improve classroom instruction.
Problems It Solves:
- Reduces Teacher Burnout – LBP eliminates hours of lesson planning with ready-to-use, standards-aligned activities, allowing teachers to focus on engaging with children.
- Supports New & Experienced Educators – With Elby, the AI-powered Virtual Instructional Coach, teachers receive real-time guidance, teaching strategies, and activity modifications, ensuring they feel confident delivering high-quality instruction.
- Ensures Standards Alignment – LBP integrates state early learning standards, CLASS, Head Start, and DRDP into every lesson, ensuring compliance with regulatory and funding requirements.
- Provides Cost-Effective Curriculum – Unlike expensive boxed curricula, LBP is offered at a single price per location with no additional material costs, making it more accessible for childcare centers and schools.
- Enhances Professional Development – Through Learning Beyond University (LBU), educators receive free, TECPDS- and PQAS-approved professional learning, helping them grow their skills and meet state training requirements.
By addressing these challenges, Learning Beyond Paper simplifies curriculum implementation, supports teachers at all experience levels, and improves early learning outcomes.
Age range:
Infants through 5-year-olds. Educators in early childhood education can use the Elby feature for all of these ages.
Core/supplemental/special needs/extracurricular/professional development:
Learning Beyond Paper (LBP) is a comprehensive, digital early childhood curriculum designed to address multiple educational needs, including core curriculum, supplemental learning, special needs support, professional development, and more.
How LBP Addresses These Areas:
- Core Curriculum – A fully digital, research-based curriculum covering all domains of early childhood education (Approaches to Learning, Social-Emotional, Language & Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Physical Development, and Creative Arts).
- Supplemental Learning – Offers flexible, engaging activities that can be used to reinforce concepts, provide enrichment, or support mixed-age classrooms.
- Special Needs Support – Integrates differentiated learning strategies and Elby, our AI-powered Virtual Instructional Coach, to help teachers adapt lessons for diverse learners, including children with disabilities and dual language learners.
- Extracurricular & Enrichment – Includes creative arts, STEM, and social-emotional activities that enhance learning beyond traditional academic subjects.
- Professional Development – Through Learning Beyond University (LBU), educators receive free, TECPDS- and PQAS-approved professional development, ensuring continuous growth and compliance with training requirements.
With its comprehensive and adaptable approach, Learning Beyond Paper supports teachers, administrators, and directors in providing high-quality, developmentally appropriate education for infants through Pre-K.
Topics/Standards:
Learning Beyond Paper (LBP) is mapped to state early learning standards, national frameworks, and key educational domains for infants through Pre-K. Our curriculum aligns with:
Subjects & Topics Covered:
- Approaches to Learning – Encourages curiosity, problem-solving, and creative thinking.
- Social-Emotional Development – Supports self-regulation, relationships, and classroom interactions.
- Language & Literacy – Covers early communication, vocabulary, phonological awareness, and pre-reading skills.
- Mathematics – Focuses on number sense, counting, measurement, patterns, and early operations.
- Science & Inquiry – Engages children in hands-on exploration, observation, and STEM-based learning.
- Physical Development – Promotes fine and gross motor skills, coordination, and healthy movement.
- Creative Arts – Encourages self-expression through music, dance, drama, and visual arts.
Social Studies – Introduces community roles, cultural awareness, and basic geography.
Standards Alignment:
- State Early Learning Standards – Fully integrated for states including Florida (FELDS), Texas (ITELG & TPG), Pennsylvania (ELG), Ohio (ELDS), and more.
- Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) – Supports school readiness goals.
- CLASS Framework – Enhances teacher-child interactions with intentional teaching strategies.
- DRDP (Desired Results Developmental Profile) – Supports assessment and developmental progress tracking.
- Science of Reading – Incorporates evidence-based literacy practices.
By aligning with state and national standards, Learning Beyond Paper ensures teachers have a high-quality, standards-driven curriculum that is easy to implement and supports all areas of early childhood development.
Lesson time needed:
Learning Beyond Paper (LBP) is designed for quick onboarding and easy implementation, allowing teachers to start using the curriculum immediately with minimal training.
Time Required to Learn the Curriculum:
- Instant Access & Navigation – The digital format makes it easy to browse and use lesson plans from day one.
- Elby AI Virtual Coach – Provides real-time instructional support, helping teachers apply lesson plans without extensive prep.
- Built-In Teacher Guidance – Each lesson includes step-by-step instructions, standards alignment, and teaching tips, reducing the need for lengthy training. Professional
- Development – Teachers can complete short, self-paced training modules through Learning Beyond University, typically requiring 1-2 hours for a full curriculum overview.
- Ongoing Support – Continuous access to training videos, best practices, and support resources ensures teachers can learn as they teach.
- Most educators feel comfortable using Learning Beyond Paper within a single planning session, and the intuitive digital platform allows them to seamlessly integrate lessons into their daily routine.
Pricing model:
Learning Beyond Paper (LBP) offers a simple, cost-effective pricing model designed to provide high-quality digital curriculum without the high costs of traditional boxed curricula.
- Flat Fee Per Location – Unlike per-classroom or per-teacher pricing models, LBP provides unlimited access for all age groups (Infants – Pre-K 4) under one fixed price per center.
- Annual Subscription – Schools and childcare centers pay an annual fee for continued access to the full curriculum, including updates, new features, and professional development.
- No Additional Material Costs – LBP is fully digital, eliminating the need for expensive physical curriculum kits. However, Essential Material Kits are available as an optional add-on through Lakeshore Learning.
- Included Professional Development – Access to Learning Beyond University (LBU) and Elby, the AI Virtual Instructional Coach, is included at no extra charge.
- Custom Pricing for Large Networks & Districts – Special enterprise pricing is available for multi-site organizations, school districts, and state-funded programs.
Characteristics:
Learning Beyond Paper (LBP) is a fully digital early childhood curriculum designed to be intuitive, flexible, and teacher-friendly. The platform integrates research-based instructional design principles, ensuring an engaging and effective experience for educators while saving them time.
User Interface (UI) & User Experience (UX):
- Seamless Digital Access – A web-based, device-friendly platform that requires no downloads or physical materials.
- Easy Navigation – Teachers can quickly search, filter, and access lesson plans by age group, domain, or state standards.
- AI-Powered Support – Elby, our Virtual Instructional Coach, provides real-time guidance and lesson adaptations.
- Customizable & Printable Content – Lessons can be modified or printed as needed to meet classroom needs.
Instructional Design Principles:
- Standards-Driven Approach – Lessons align with state standards, CLASS, Head Start, and DRDP.
- Developmentally Appropriate Practices – Activities follow a scaffolded learning progression, supporting all learners.
- Multimodal Learning – Integrates hands-on, visual, auditory, and movement-based activities for diverse learning styles.
- Differentiated Instruction – Provides adaptations and modifications to support children with disabilities, multilingual learners, and mixed-age classrooms.
- Teacher-Centered Design – Streamlines lesson planning, professional learning, and classroom implementation to reduce workload and support teacher success.
What users are saying:
“Our centers are very happy using Learning Beyond Paper. The ease of use and navigation of the interface is so important for teachers who are in a hurry. LBP saves our teachers a significant amount of time that they are able to put back into their individualized instruction. The program is structured but offers suggestions on how to adapt lessons based on student's needs, making lesson planning a breeze. Both our tenured and new educators feel successful using this program and are REALLY loving the new A.I. Feature, "Elby" that allows staff to ask questions about a specific lesson plan. LBP truly makes teaching fun and simplifies the workload for our very busy teachers. Highly recommend!”
--Sara Michael, Sr. Director of Education, Curriculum and Quality, Clever Bee Academy
