If you’re the parent to a child under the age of five, there’s a good chance you have heard of the YouTube sensation Ms. Rachel. Her educational videos for little ones are wildly popular, but there’s so much content out there that it can be hard to discern what has real value and what’s, well, crap. So, is Ms. Rachel good for kids? I got an answer to this question from a neuropsychologist (and mom-of-two). Here’s what I learned.
Is Ms. Rachel Good for Kids? A Neuropsychologist Weighs In
Get ready to sing along
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Published Jul 17, 2025
Dasha Burobina for PureWow
Meet the Expert
Dr. Sanam Hafeez is a New York City-based neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind, a psychological practice that treats learning disorders, anxiety, depression and other psychopathological disorders. Dr. Hafeez obtained her Doctor of Psychology at Hofstra University and completed her post-doctoral training in neuropsychology and developmental pediatrics at Coney Island Hospital.
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Who Is Ms. Rachel?
In case you missed it, Ms. Rachel is a popular children’s content creator known for her educational videos on YouTube. But what’s her deal, you ask? Her real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, and she’s a preschool teacher and musician who started making videos to help toddlers with speech and language development after her own child experienced a speech delay. In her videos, Ms. Rachel sings songs, teaches simple words, and uses engaging visuals to keep kids interested. Check out her “Songs for Littles” channel and you’ll see why it has become a favorite resource for families worldwide.
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Why Is Ms. Rachel So Popular?
Everybody seems to love Ms. Rachel and, in case you’re still wondering why, Dr. Hafeez broke it down for me: “Ms. Rachel is so popular because she blends education and entertainment in a way that really resonates with toddlers. Her warm, gentle voice and clear speech help children learn new words and sounds with ease. The repetition in her songs and activities builds confidence in early language skills.” In other words, she’s pretty good at doing what she set out to do: help toddlers and preschoolers develop language skills without overstimulating them. Plus, the expert notes that she’s popular among parents because they “trust her background as a preschool teacher and musician, which comes through in the thoughtful structure of each lesson.”
Is Ms. Rachel Good for Kids?
Dr. Hafeez tells me that Ms. Rachel’s content is considered good for kids because it’s designed to support early speech and language development with the use of simple words, repetition, and clear enunciation—all of which help toddlers learn how to talk. Perhaps most importantly, “her songs and activities keep children engaged without being overwhelming or too fast-paced; In a noisy online world, her calm, engaging presence stands out and offers a sense of safety and learning for young kids,” says Dr. Hafeez. Indeed, the bright visuals and friendly tone create a safe, positive space for little ones, and many parents and speech therapists recommend her videos because they blend fun with valuable learning.
Still, there are some cons to tuning in. Well, just one, actually: screen time. Although Ms. Rachel’s videos are gentler than much of the overstimulating content around, it’s still important to keep in mind screen time guidelines. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, children under the age of 18 months should have no screen time whatsoever, aside from brief video calls with family members; children between the ages of 18 and 24 months should only watch education content (like Ms. Rachel’s) in the company of a caregiver, and ideally for no longer than 20 to 30 minutes; finally, kids between the ages of 2 and 5 should have no more than one hour of non-educational screen time on weekdays and three hours maximum on the weekend. Of course, Ms. Rachel’s content is educational, so you could make a case for bending the rules a little for kids two and older, but the really young ones definitely don’t benefit from binge-watching anything, not even when valuable learning is involved. Bottom line: Ms. Rachel is good for kids, but as with most good things, moderation is key.
How to Get the Most Out of Ms. Rachel Videos
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1. Watch With Your Child
As previously mentioned, it is recommended that toddlers under the age of two only enjoy their (limited) screen time in the presence of a caregiver. Dr. Hafeez says that this is true across the board if you want to really get the most out of Ms. Rachel’s educational content. “It’s much better for parents to watch with their kids rather than just leaving them to watch alone, because they can sing along and repeat the words to help their child practice,” she explains.
2. Pause and Ask Questions
You’re watching along, but don’t stop there. To really maximize the benefits of the viewing experience for your child Dr. Hafeez recommends occasionally pausing the video to ask your child questions about what’s happening. This ensures they are really engaging with the content in a meaningful way and not just, you know, zonked.
3. Use the Songs and Words Throughout the Day
Finally, the expert recommends that parents keep the learning going even when screen time is over: “Parents can also use the songs and words from the videos in daily life, like during meals or playtime. Keeping screen time balanced with other activities is important. Most of all, making it fun together helps kids learn even more.” In other words, try to channel your own inner Ms. Rachel once that day’s viewing window has closed.
