Why is Ms. Rachel so popular with parents and babies?
Ms. Rachel has saved the sanity of parents by teaching ABCs, 123s and first words with her baby learning videos on YouTube.
In real life, Ms. Rachel is Rachel Griffin-Accurso. A New York teacher and mom, she began in 2019, posting on her "Songs for Littles" channel on YouTube. Ms. Rachel's popularity rose tremendously during the pandemic.
Now a full-fledged social media personality, her audience of little ones adore her − as do their parents.
Griffin-Accurso, 42, is married to Aron Accurso, known as "Mr. Aron." He also acts as orange puppet Herbie and other characters.
The two live in New York with their 5-year-old son Thomas, who was the inspiration for "Songs for Littles." When Thomas was one, Griffin-Accurso realized he was having some speech delays. Looking to supplement his learning, she found no resources on social media − so she made her own.
A children's educational series filled with music, sign language and learning, "Songs for Littles" focuses on language development for young children. Videos are geared to stages of child development, Baby Learning, Toddler Learning, Preschool Learning and Speech Practice, as well as themes and subjects, like first words, colors, holidays and songs.
She has 9.2 million YouTube subscribers, 1.8 million Instagram followers and 4.1 million TikTok followers.
What is it about Ms. Rachel that babies love?
Ms. Rachel has a certain superpower. The videos go on, and the smiles and interactions instantly begin. Her expression is always enthusiastic and her joy is infectious.
Ms. Rachel practices "parentese" in her "Songs for Littles" videos. It is not "baby talk," Griffin-Accurso said in an Instagram post. Rather, it "boosts a baby's language development" and "captures a baby's attention." This accounts for her higher pitch, sing-songy tone and slower speech. She elongates vowels and repeats words. Shorter sentences are key as is enthusiasm and exaggerated facial expressions.
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One of Ms. Rachel's secrets is she pretends she is talking to one child, Griffin-Accurso said. That accounts for the one-to-one relationship each child feels they have with her.
Griffin-Accurso knows what she is talking − and singing − about. She has a masters degree in music education and is finishing her second masters in childhood development. Previously, she taught music in public school.
All of her videos are aimed to help children and their families "learn, bond and thrive," Griffin-Accurso said. She infuses songs, games and nursery rhymes with strategies from experts to help children reach important milestones in the early years of learning.
Recently, a speech pathologist praised "Songs for Littles," saying there is "good and solid evidence that the techniques Ms. Rachel uses in her programming help children develop language faster."
Ms. Rachel researches each topic, theme and developmental stage before filming. She and cast members often sing well-known children’s songs like "Old MacDonald," "Wheels on the Bus" or "Five Little Ducks," as well as originals.
Griffin-Accurso often reinforces her lessons with ASL, teaching children to sign their words as well as say them.
Who's who in 'Songs for Littles'?
Inclusivity is important to "Songs for Littles." Each video showcases diversity − races, gender and abilities − in content and cast.
Jules Hoffman, a nonbinary person, is a singer-songwriter, Natalie Kaye Clater toured with "Hamilton," and Erin Rosenfeld, a hard-of-hearing actress, performed on Broadway in "The Grey House."
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Several "Songs for Littles" cast members perform in "Aladdin" on Broadway, including Keisha Gilles, guitarist Simon Kafka, Dennis Stowe and Angelo Soriano.
There have been guest celebrities − such as Elmo, Laurie Berkner, Blippi − as well as social media personalities like comedian Elyse Meyers and Courtney, and Zach and Madison from OurSignedWorld who led a segment on sign language.
Behind the scenes are art director/animator Beth Jean; director of operations/singer-songwriter Rina Cohen; Frida Matute, a preschool director and speech therapist; Alexa Smith, associate vice president at Manhattan School of Music who oversees diversity and inclusion strategies; and video producer Ashley DeLeon.
email: cmakin@gannettnj.com
Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Why is Ms. Rachel so popular with parents and babies?
