Karla is an educator, consultant, and early childhood specialist with a unique background that blends neuroscience, educational psychology, technology integration, and developmental approaches to learning. With extensive experience supporting families, schools, and multidisciplinary teams, she created the NeuroPlay Model to fill the gap between playful, relationship-based learning and evidence-based executive function development.

Her work focuses on empowering educators and caregivers with accessible, non-clinical tools grounded in neuropsychology and supported by tech-enhanced strategies.

Karla Proaño is a visionary leader in neuroeducation, emotional development, and bilingual learning. Originally from Quito, Ecuador, she brings a deep passion for integrating neuroscience, play, and emotional intelligence to transform the way children learn and educators lead. 

As the Founder and Director of NeuroPlay Studio, Karla has created a neuroeducation-based model that guides children’s learning and emotional growth through purposeful play. Her approach is rooted in science, empathy, and creativity, offering a holistic and inclusive framework that supports children from birth to age eight. 

Karla holds a Master’s degree in Neuropsychology and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Technology and Leadership. She combines her academic expertise with years of professional experience as a developmental specialist, family educator, and leadership mentor. Her approach is non-clinical, play-based, and family-centered, always focused on observing, understanding, and empowering each child’s unique way of connecting and learning. 

Through NeuroPlay Children, Karla provides individualized developmental sessions and parent guidance that nurture emotional regulation, communication, and executive functioning skills. Meanwhile, through NeuroPlay Leadership, she empowers educators and leaders to integrate neuroscience, empathy, and digital fluency into their practice, building more compassionate and innovative learning communities. 

Karla is also the author of My Magic Guide to Conflict Resolution, a resource that blends emotional awareness and practical strategies to support children’s growth and resilience. 

Her philosophy is simple yet powerful:

“When we understand the brain and connect with the heart, learning becomes a joyful and transformative experience.”

With heart, purpose, and science, Karla continues to inspire families, educators, and communities to see education not just as instruction, but as connection, discovery, and growth.

Karla has 18 years of teaching experience in initial, primary, and secondary education, from several prestigious schools in Quito, Ecuador, as well as several institutions in the US across northern New Jersey. Karla also has 7 years of experience as a childhood development specialist offering therapy and counseling services to children through various State of New Jersey agencies in Passaic and Bergen counties.

Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications:

• Featured Seminar Speaker – ArteSuma – Quito, Ecuador – Shared knowledge and experience with an international audience of educators as Featured Speaker for “Art Transversal Axis in Current Education; Art and Neuro-Education”
• Featured Webinar Series Presenter – Maestra De Inicial – Lima, Peru – Shared knowledge and experience with an international audience of educators as Featured Presenter for “Strategies for Communication in Early Childhood from Neuroeducation”
• Author of the book “My Magic Guide to Conflict Resolution “

Karla holds multiple certifications, including the following:

• Certificate in Early Education Leadership (CEEL) (Harvard Graduate School of Education)
• Diploma In Educational Neurotechnology (Politecnico de Colombia)
• DIRFloortime^® 101, 201 Basic Practitioner, 202 Advanced Practitioner (ICDL)
• Art Therapy Certification (Primolearn)
• ABA Training (Build N Care)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Mental Wellbeing in Children (New Skills Academy)
• Intro. Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP), NJ Dept. of Health Early Intervention System (NJEIS)
• Best Practices for Teaching AAC and Core Language in Early Intervention NJ Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• Autism Awareness (New Skills Academy)
• Procedural Safeguards Certificate, NJ Dept. of Health Early Intervention System (NJEIS)