OUR TEAM
What Was The Origin Of This Program?
Martinica and Marcela, experts in child development with over 30 years of combined experience, created “My Time Tots” after years of consistently realizing there was a lack of space for families to appropriately transition their toddlers into pre-school. The programs in the community tend to “accelerate milestones” in a manner that negates the child’s natural neurodevelopmental process and restrains them from organic, spontaneous play opportunities.
The result of some pre- schools strong emphasis in “academics” at an early age ends up becoming counter active as it is scientifically proven that children do learn the easiest through play and not through forma/ highly structured teaching. Our program is a new and fresh alternative for families looking for a place where their child can develop their full potential!
OUR MISSION
The Relationship With The Student Is Our Most Important Teaching Tool
Children learn to trust the world by the consistency, warmth and the emotional availability they experience in their interactions with their caregivers. Our teachers will nurture such relationships constantly so that the children have with them a safe space for the acceptance of All their emotions as there is no such thing as “bad emotions”.
We believe children and families have the right to live a comfortable transition. Quality, time, and respect are aspects that we strongly value, especially during the beginning of this journey.
OUR TEAM
Marcela Teran
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DIRECTOR
Marcela graduated in 2004 with a Bachelors Degree in Occupational Therapy from Universidad del Rosario in Bogota- Colombia and she is fluent in both Spanish and English.
She and Martinica created an innovative mommy/ daddy
and me program that launched 5 years ago. Marcela
helped families understand early development in the
first months of life using fun, interactive and play
based activities.
Caregivers left the
classes feeling empowered in understanding how to
foster important skills at an early age and the
classes were a wonderful bonding experience for the
whole family. While developing this program she
found out she was pregnant with her first child and
decided along side with Martinica to turn the mommy/
daddy and me program into a drop of class.
The families that attended the program
for over a year encouraged Marcela and Martinica to
take it to the next level allowing children to stay
for short periods of time in the company of the
program leaders.
Today Marcela oversees and create the curriculum
content for the fine motor, gross motor and sensory
areas. She also evaluates and creates the
personalized developmental plans each child follows.
She supervises daily the teachers and loves leading
some of the activities herself.
Martinica Barrionuevo
SPEECH THERAPY DIRECTOR
Martinica received her B.A and Master’s Degree in Speech Language and Hearing in 2000, from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires graduating Cum Laude.
After doing her residency training and working in
pediatric rehabilitation in Argentina (please insert
years you studied here in Argentina) she moved to
Miami in 2008.
In 2012 Martinica partnered with Marcela and founded
My Time Inc. a pediatric center were she lead the
speech therapy division. Martinica has many years of
experience evaluating, diagnosing and treating
children with speech, language and communication
disorders.
Along with Marcela, they created My Time TOTS in
2019 with the goal of offering a sensory, play-based
and developmental appropriate program for toddlers
and their families.
Martinica supervises and advices the TOTS team on
creating and implementing language developing
strategies appropiate for the 4 first years of life
Alejandra Cuadros
Lead Teacher
Alejandra, raised in Colombia, holds a psychology degree, specialized in preventing school violence. With FIU's bilingual education certificate, she fosters respect for nature in children, complementing her passion for shaping future global citizens. Beyond work, she aids animal rescue.
Agustina Casadey
Lead Teacher
Fluent in both Spanish and English, I am deeply committed to unlocking the full potential of children. With a rich background in working with special needs children, I bring 9 years of valuable experience to the table. As the proud owner and remote manager of a Behavioral Therapy Center in my hometown in Argentina, I have been dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of children.
Maria Pía Guglielmo
Assitant Teacher
Born in Italy, raised in Venezuela, Pia holds a special education associate degree and speaks Spanish and Italian. With 35 years of child education experience, she's passionate about instilling values of respect, love, and acceptance. Beyond work, you can find her engaging in beach clean-ups and running.
We want to express our sincere gratitude to all the parents who have used developmental programs for their children. Your decision to invest in your child's growth and development is truly commendable, and it is a testament to your love and care for your little ones. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve you and your family.