Bebés + Fuertes

CASE STUDY

Bebés + Fuertes is a free, state-funded early childhood program built on a hybrid model: weekly one-hour group sessions, plus a monthly home visit where a trained educator works alongside caregivers on their child's development.

It began as a pilot with 600 families. By 2023, it had reached more than 60,000, opened physical centers across the state, trained 5,000+ educators, and has been studied by the IDB and Harvard's Graduate School of Education.

MY ROLE

TIMELINE

Lead Learning Designer and Training Manager

2019-2024

AUDIENCE

PARTNERS

Parents

Caregivers

Educators

State governments Funders

Harvard GSE

IDB · World Bank

THE CHALLENGE

The original pilot could rely heavily on direct support from the core team. At 60,000+ families, that was no longer possible.

1. Multiple profiles for one curriculum

Caregivers and educators came with very different levels of experience and confidence.

2. Connectivity

Limited devices per household, unreliable Wi-fi, pandemic digital overload.

3.Schedules

Working caregivers could not all participate at the same time or in the same way.

4.Retention

Learning outcomes depended on families continuing to participate and applying practices over time.

Training

Designed the training architecture and learning experiences for educators and facilitators.

Facilitators

Hired, prepared, and supported trainers through a train-the-trainer approach.

Curriculum

Designed learning materials used throughout the program

Publications

Helped evolve the original learning materials into Jugar para Aprender.

Implementation

Developed and adapted curriculum content for the Bebés + Fuertes app.

Mobile

Translated educator and leader needs into adjustments with the engineering team.

One standard of learning — the same 13-session curriculum, delivered with consistent quality across every format and facilitator.
Caregiver adoption — parents leave each session with practices they can use the same day: play, conversation, reading, care routines.
Educator readiness — preschool teachers certified to deliver and adapt sessions with fidelity to the method.
Sustained participation — families complete the full cycle, because outcomes depend on practice over time, not attendance once.

How might we scale a high-touch learning experience without losing its quality?

IN ACTION

Program materials

TV CAPSULE · EPISODE 46

ANIMATED GUIDE · BEBÉS LECTORES

A 48-second excerpt from one of 100+ early-childhood capsules broadcast on state television during COVID-19.

An excerpt from an animated guide showing caregivers why reading aloud to babies matters from birth.

PUBLISHED BOOK · JUGAR PARA APRENDER (CIDCLI, 2023)

Selected pages from the activity book for families with children ages 0–3 that I co-authored for the program.

MOBILE APP · CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE

A quick tour of the free app caregivers used alongside the program: guided sessions, play-based activities and short reads by development area.