Ms. Rachel Talks Speech Development Myths and New Toys

Beloved for her developmentally friendly and fun YouTube videos, preschool sensation Ms. Rachel is bringing her signature touch to a new wave of toys. This latest launch builds on the success of her original toy line released last year, which quickly became a favorite among parents looking for multi-functional toys that grow with their child.

The newest additions include a musical Learning Bus inspired by “Wheels on the Bus,” a Spin Along Wheel that teaches colors and animal sounds, interactive Talking Flash Cards to help little ones learn their first words and a Sort & Count Nesting Blocks set with Melissa & Doug that encourages stacking, sorting and number recognition.

Each toy is priced under $35 and is designed with toddlers and their parents in mind. Think much-needed volume control, engaging prompts in Ms. Rachel’s familiar voice and plenty of sensory-rich, hands-on elements that keep kids entertained while encouraging language development. “There was so much love poured into the making of these new toys,” said Rachel Accurso. “Not only are they fun, but they are also research-backed, developmentally supportive, and will help kids and caregivers to learn, bond and thrive together.”

Interactive speech elements are something Accurso is particularly passionate about, especially when it comes to debunking what she sees as one of the biggest misconceptions in language development: that you don’t need to talk to a baby because they can’t talk back. “Talking to your baby will help your baby so much! Hearing language is so beneficial for them even though they cannot speak yet,” she told The Bump in an exclusive interview.

Beyond playtime, Accurso encourages parents to support their child’s development by simply narrating daily life. “Narrate your day such as, “I’m getting you dressed!” “We’re walking down the street.” Have “conversations” with your baby as they coo and babble back to you. These back and forth interactions build your baby’s brain,” she noted. “Also you can read to them from the start!”

Even with all the toys, tips, and tools, Accurso reminds parents not to stress about their child’s speech timeline. “You don’t need to compare and despair! Your child is bright and amazing, whether they talk early or late! What you do need to do is be aware of speech milestones so you can get support if your child is missing milestones. The earlier you get support, the better the outcome so talk to your pediatrician and call early intervention if you have concerns!”

You can learn more about Ms. Rachel’s toy line at MsRachel.com/Play and shop them all online at Amazon, Target and Walmart.