I said I’d never do it… but I did.
Ms Rachel toddler speech videos? Not in my house, thank you very much. I was absolutely certain that when I became a mum, I’d do things “properly.” No screen time, no American YouTube stars with exaggerated faces and sing-song voices. Just wooden toys, homemade sensory bins, and me—patient, calm, and endlessly available to teach my child everything she’d ever need to know.
Lol.
I Had Big Plans (And No Clue)
Before I had a toddler, I genuinely believed I’d be able to raise a little genius without any help from a screen. I was adamant Ms Rachel would never feature in our home. I found her loud, a bit over the top, and—if I’m being completely honest—annoying.
Also, part of me was low-key jealous. I mean, what if my daughter preferred Ms Rachel to me? That would sting.
But I stuck to my no-Ms-Rachel rule for a while. I really did! We read books, sang songs (badly), and tried flashcards that she either chewed or threw.
Real Life Kicked In… Hard
Being a mum is relentless. My partner went back to work, and suddenly it was just me—trying to cook dinner, walk the dog, empty the washing machine for the third time that day, and stop a tiny human from launching herself off the sofa. All on about three hours’ sleep and one reheated cup of tea.
Oh, and did I mention I went back to work full-time when she was five months old?
Somewhere around the 14-month mark, I started worrying. She was walking fine and clearly strong (complete with her mum’s attitude and her dad’s beer belly), but her speech wasn’t coming along like I expected. She wasn’t saying much. And yes, I know every child is different and comparison is the thief of joy… but guess what I did?
Compared.
Cue a late-night spiral through parenting forums full of people “concerned” that their toddler could “only” say 400 words and couldn’t yet pronounce “rural” properly.
So I Did It. I Put Ms Rachel On. Secretly.
While my partner was at work, I broke my own unwritten rule. I put on a Ms Rachel toddler speech video. And I hated every second of it… until I didn’t.
Because my daughter? She was obsessed. Not in a glazed-over, zombie-child kind of way, but properly engaged. She was clapping, pointing, copying sounds—things I’d been trying to teach her for weeks.
I limited it, of course. Just one or two short videos. Enough to keep it educational without turning her into the iPad kids you see on TikTok who haven’t blinked since 2021.
And I’ll admit it: her speech started to improve. Not magically, but noticeably. She started using new sounds, signs, and even joined in with songs I hadn’t sung since nursery myself.
Enter Ms Apple: Our New Favourite
These days, we actually prefer Ms Apple. If you haven’t heard of her, she’s basically the British version of Ms Rachel. Same concept—singing, signing, first words—but with proper pronunciation (hallelujah for “zed” instead of “zee”).
She’s also a lot calmer, which my brain appreciates more than I can say.
If you’re curious, you can find Ms Rachel’s channel here on YouTube, and Ms Apple is easy to find too—just search her name. You’re welcome in advance.
It’s Not a Screen Time Free-for-All
Let’s be clear: I don’t just stick her in front of the telly and disappear into the garden with a G&T (although, what a dream). She doesn’t have an iPad, and we’re pretty strict with screen time. But when I need to shower, or cook something vaguely edible, or just breathe for five minutes—Ms Rachel (or Ms Apple) comes to the rescue.
The key is balance. Some days we bake banana bread (badly), do crafts, read books, and have wholesome screen-free moments. Other days we survive by the grace of CBeebies and a snack cup full of mini breadsticks.
So, Does Ms Rachel Help with Toddler Speech?
Honestly? Yes. At least in my experience.
I still find her voice a bit much and I’d rather not hear “Can you say… baaaaallll?” echoing through the house at 7am. But I can’t deny that it’s made a real difference to my daughter’s communication and confidence.
I never thought I’d be one of those mums who sings along to YouTube nursery rhymes, but here we are. And if that’s what helps her grow and learn? I’m on board.
Final Thoughts from a Tired Mum
Parenting is hard. Really hard. And we put way too much pressure on ourselves to do everything perfectly.
So if you’re wondering whether it’s okay to let your toddler watch a bit of Ms Rachel toddler speech content while you do something selfish like eat, shower, or breathe—I promise, it is.
I said I’d never do it.
But I did.
And honestly? I’m so glad I did.
