--- title: "Lightbridge Academy® Partners With Story Time Chess™ To Bring Chess-Based Curriculum to Children Across the Nation" url: https://burnaze.com/article/99148a7e-9e39-42d9-a98b-b4b0ec41ffe1 source: "Franchising.com" original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20251202_lightbridge_academy_partners_with_story_time_chess_to_bring_chessbased_curr.html category: "Childcare & early learning" industry: "Education & Childcare" segment: "Childcare & early learning" published: 2025-12-02T12:00:00.000Z modified: 2026-10-31T17:32:44.470Z image: https://imgs.franchising.com/brands/social/lightbridgeacademy.jpg --- # Lightbridge Academy® Partners With Story Time Chess™ To Bring Chess-Based Curriculum to Children Across the Nation **TL;DR:** Lightbridge Academy is expanding its partnership with Story Time Chess to introduce a chess-based curriculum to children across the nation. The partnership aims to spark critical thinking and foster early cognitive development in children as young as three. *originally published in Franchising.com on 2025-12-02. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20251202_lightbridge_academy_partners_with_story_time_chess_to_bring_chessbased_curr.html).* ## Story ISELIN, N.J., Dec. 2, 2025 // PRNewswire // -- Lightbridge Academy® is proud to announce an expansion of their partnership with Story Time Chess™. Through this strategic alliance, Lightbridge Academy locations will introduce a chess-based curriculum designed to spark critical thinking and foster early cognitive development—further advancing the brand's innovative approach to early childhood education. Through whimsical stories and endearing characters, Story Time Chess transforms the game's complexities into fun, play-driven "Chessercises" that children as young as three can easily grasp. Instead of memorization, Lightbridge Academy students will be immersed in storytelling and kinesthetic learning through play and build problem-solving, adaptability, and social-emotional skills that will benefit them far beyond the classroom. "At Lightbridge Academy, we are constantly seeking ways to inspire young minds and prepare them for the future," said Gigi Schweikert, CEO at Lightbridge Academy. "Our collaboration with Story Time Chess empowers children to think strategically, make thoughtful decisions, and build confidence—all while having fun. This program perfectly reflects our commitment to innovation in early childhood education." Children thrive and develop in different ways, and Lightbridge Academy's proprietary Seedlings Early Childhood Education Curriculum®, cultivates a stimulating environment that expands their innate abilities through a variety of learning areas. Educators embrace a "learning is fun" philosophy—encouraging growth through play and positive reinforcement while building upon the skills children acquire at each age and stage of development. Each classroom is designed with learning centers that inspire exploration through teacher-led activities, child-led interests, and individual play. The partnership with Story Time Chess is a natural extension of this approach, introducing strategic thinking, problem-solving, and patience in a fun, story-driven way that perfectly aligns with Lightbridge Academy's philosophy of learning through play. The benefits extend well past chess. By learning to anticipate moves, adapt strategies, win with grace or lose with dignity, and engage collaboratively, children develop executive functioning skills, emotional intelligence, good sportsmanship, and resilience—skills foundational to lifelong success in academics and beyond. "We're honored to partner with Lightbridge Academy, an organization that truly understands the power of storytelling combined with play-based learning," said Paul Levy, CEO at Story Time Chess. "Together, we're equipping children with skills that will shape not just their education, but their entire outlook on problem-solving and creativity." The goal of the program is not to create chess masters, but rather develop in children as young as three, a love for the game and empower them with math skills, creative problem solving and emotional tools taught through Story Time Chess proprietary methodology. From work-life balance to the award-winning support, this innovative early childhood education franchise is guided by purpose and a family-first culture. Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, Lightbridge Academy is a proven child care brand. ## Entities - Franchising.com (publication) - Education (sector) - Lightbridge Academy (company) - early childhood education (topic) - Gigi Schweikert (person) - partnership expansion (topic) - StoryTime Chess (company) - Paul Levy (person) - chess-based curriculum (topic) --- Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20251202_lightbridge_academy_partners_with_story_time_chess_to_bring_chessbased_curr.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/99148a7e-9e39-42d9-a98b-b4b0ec41ffe1).