The Learning Experience in Lakewood Ranch tackles a flag football event

By Madison Bierl
| 8:30 a.m. July 24, 2026

Bradenton 3-year-old Zy'heir Curry, a lover of "Paw Patrol," shows off his trophy from playing flag football at The Learning Experience.

East County
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East County 4-year-old Caitlyn Knapp was ready for The Learning Experience's big flag football game July 18 at the daycare's facility at 14425 Arbor Green Trail in Lakewood Ranch.

She had spent plenty of recess time practicing and scrimmaging so they would be prepared.

Knapp was one of the most energetic of the 36 players who were participating in the daycare's "Sports Galore" themed event, which also included four teachers playing along with the kids.

"I was happy to play with my friends," Knapp said.

The event originally was scheduled for July 18 but bad weather cancelled it so the kids had to wait another five days.

Lakewood Ranch 4-year-old Aurora Martinez was ready for the challenge. She said her mom, preschool teacher Kate Martinez, congratulated her for staying inside the lines.

"One team had the football and I didn't have the football," Aurora Martinez said.

Center Director Staci Eades "Sports Galore" is the daycare's theme every July. This was the first time the event featured flag football.

Eades said watching the kids' faces light up and seeing them understand how the game is played were highlights of the experience.

"It was so fun to watch our teachers engage and play," Eades said. "The kids cheered (the teachers) on. They rally and support one another."

Preschool Teacher Nyzirria Curry was one of the staff members who facilitated the game and even played herself.

"I was excited to be a part of watching the children come together, play as a team, and grow," Curry said. "Happy happens here."

The Learning Experience Preschool Teachers Lacrecha Smalls and Kate Martinez (back) prepare their students, Camden Casey, Giovanni Starling and Caitlyn Knapp, for the start of the flag football game.

Nyzirria Curry, a preschool teacher at The Learning Experience, says flag football is a great way for the kids to play as a team and grow.

Lakewood Ranch's Hadley Miles and Emery Mull, both 3 years old, are best friends on and off the field at The Learning Experience.

Lakewood Ranch's Aurora Martinez, 4, zig zags her way through her opponents during flag football at The Learning Experience.

East County's Diego Pierral, 4, gets ready to play flag football by dancing.

Lakewood Ranch 3-year-old Louis Nagy shows off his speed during flag football July 23 at The Learning Experience.

Lakewood Ranch's Caroline Caldwell, 4, took cheering to the next level with her Seminoles cheerleading outfit.

East County's Gabrielle Taveras, 4, was one of 36 kids who participated in The Learning Experience's flag football event.

East County's Natalie Perez and Emily Fernandez-Poritz, both 4 years old, show off their trophies.

East County's Giovanni Starling and Nicholas Peters, both 4 years old, practice their balancing skills after receiving trophies for flag football.

Carsen Sherrier, Harrison Ramsey, Sasha Frias and Olivia Taveras wait to cheer on their younger friends at The Learning Experience.

East County's Oliver Mechling, 3, decided to take this run off the field and through the playground.

author

Madison Bierl

Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.