#387: The Power of Failure and Quitting in Childhood Learning with Ana Fabrega
"Doctor Mom" Podcast | Practical Tips to Be a Proactive Parent
Release Date: 11/04/2025
"Doctor Mom" Podcast | Practical Tips to Be a Proactive Parent
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Rethinking childhood education is more important than ever. In this inspiring episode, educator Ana Fabrega shares why traditional schooling is outdated and how parents can nurture creativity, resilience, and problem-solving skills at home. She explains how systems like Synthesis are changing the future of learning through games and simulations, why failure is one of the most important gifts we can give our kids, and how parents can support curiosity outside of the classroom. You’ll walk away with practical tips for fostering independence, cultivating a love of reading, and encouraging kids...
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Medical emergencies with kids can feel overwhelming, but what if you knew exactly what to do? In this powerful and practical episode, pediatric ER nurse and mom of four, Shannon Tripp, joins us to share her real-world wisdom on how to handle scary moments with calm and clarity. You’ll learn how to differentiate between urgent care and ER visits, how to stay composed during a choking episode, when to worry about head injuries or broken bones and what symptoms matter most with fevers. We also dive into how to prevent three of the most common emergencies she sees in the ER, the one thing she...
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info_outlineRethinking childhood education is more important than ever. In this inspiring episode, educator Ana Fabrega shares why traditional schooling is outdated and how parents can nurture creativity, resilience, and problem-solving skills at home. She explains how systems like Synthesis are changing the future of learning through games and simulations, why failure is one of the most important gifts we can give our kids, and how parents can support curiosity outside of the classroom. You’ll walk away with practical tips for fostering independence, cultivating a love of reading, and encouraging kids to embrace both grit and quitting when needed. This conversation will leave you empowered with fresh strategies to raise confident, adaptable learners who thrive in and out of school
Topics Covered In This Episode:
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Alternative education and learning models for kids
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Teaching children problem solving and critical thinking
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How failure builds resilience and confidence
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Supporting creativity and unstructured play at home
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When to encourage grit and when to allow quitting
Show Notes:
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Receive 10% off of Synthesis Tutor Plans, use code ‘DRMOM’
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‘X’ @anafabrega11 on ‘X’
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Follow @/msfab_learninglab on Instagram
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Buy The Learning Game: Teaching Kids to Think for Themselves, Embrace Challenge, and Love Learning
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Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell’s Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child’s number one health advocate!
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Click here to learn more about Steph Greunke, RD’s online nutrition program and community, Postpartum Reset, an intimate private community and online roadmap for any mama (or mama-to-be) who feels stuck, alone, and depleted and wants to learn how to thrive in motherhood
Ana Lorena Fábrega is an author, edupreneur, and Chief Evangelist at Synthesis. Growing up, she attended ten schools in seven different countries. She then earned her BS in Childhood Education and Special Education from New York University and taught elementary school in New York, Boston, and Panama. Today, Ana Lorena writes online to over 200,000 readers about the promise of alternative education.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF to Steph and Dr. Elana on Instagram. They can’t wait to meet you!
Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only. All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you have any questions regarding your treatment plan.