Ms. Rachel, also known as Rachel Griffin Accurso, is a preschool teacher turned YouTube and TikTok star known for her educational content for toddlers and infants.
She created the popular YouTube series, Songs for Littles, focusing on language development for young children.
Ms. Rachel, alongside her husband Aron Accurso, produces engaging educational videos and music classes to aid children’s learning.
Her work is inspired by her son’s speech delay, prompting her to create interactive shows emphasizing speech development.
Despite facing backlash and taking breaks from social media for mental health reasons, Ms. Rachel’s content has gained immense popularity, amassing over 6.2 million subscribers on YouTube.
She is recognized for her dedication to children’s education and her efforts to spread love and kindness through her online platforms.
Early background and early life
Ms. Rachel was born in Biddeford, Maine and raised in Sanford, Maine.
She attended Sanford High School, where she participated in theater.
Ms. Rachel pursued her education at the University of Southern Maine and later earned a master’s degree in music education from New York University.
Before gaining fame on YouTube, she worked as a music teacher at a public preschool in New York City.
Ms. Rachel, alongside her husband Aron Accurso, created the YouTube series, Songs for Littles, to address the lack of media resources for her son, who had a speech delay.
This series, focusing on language development for toddlers and infants, became highly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, amassing over seven million subscribers by 2024.
Ms. Rachel’s dedication to early childhood education and her innovative approach to teaching through music have made her a prominent figure in the educational content space.
Net worth
Ms. Rachel’s net worth is $6.5 million.
Her income primarily stems from her successful YouTube channel, Ms Rachel – Toddler Learning Videos, which features educational content for children.
Through brand endorsements, commission-based sales of toys and merchandise, and collaborations with companies like Huggies and Amazon, she has built a substantial monthly income.
Additionally, Ms. Rachel’s net worth reflects her success in leveraging her music background and educational expertise to create engaging content that resonates with a wide audience, contributing to her financial prosperity.
YouTube earnings
In February 2024, she earned approximately $125,000, following previous months with earnings ranging from $71,100 to $366,000.
These earnings are generated through various sources like advertising, brand partnerships, and sponsored content on her educational YouTube channel, which focuses on language development for children.
Despite facing challenges like backlash on TikTok, Ms. Rachel’s success and financial achievements reflect the impact of her content and the loyalty of her audience, with over 8 million subscribers and billions of views on her videos.
Penguin Random House deal
Ms. Rachel, secured a significant deal with Penguin Random House to release a series of children’s books.
The first book, Ms. Rachel and the Special Surprise!: Encouraging Speech and Learning Through Play and Music, is set to be available on September 24.
This collaboration with Penguin Random House aligns with Rachel’s expertise in early childhood development and music education, as showcased in her popular YouTube channel focused on language development for children with speech delays.
The book features Ms. Rachel in her signature outfit and incorporates key lessons from her channel, engaging children with familiar characters and music.
Additionally, the partnership extends beyond books, offering developmental toys like Ms. Rachel’s Surprise Learning Box to complement the reading experience and enhance children’s sensory, motor, cognitive, social/emotional and communication skills.
Early career
Before her breakthrough, Ms. Rachel, began her career as a music teacher at a public preschool in New York City.
She holds a master’s degree in music education from New York University and has a background in early childhood education.
Ms. Rachel, alongside her husband Aron Accurso, started her YouTube channel in 2019 under the name Ms. Rachel.
The channel was created in response to the lack of media resources for her son, who had a speech delay.
Ms. Rachel’s early career was focused on creating educational content for children, particularly toddlers and infants, to aid in language development.
Her dedication to early childhood education and her innovative approach to teaching through music laid the foundation for her later success in the online educational content space.
Breakthrough
Ms. Rachel experienced a significant breakthrough and gained immense popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She rose to fame by creating the YouTube series, Songs for Littles, focusing on language development for toddlers and infants.
This educational content became especially popular in 2020 as families sought engaging and educational resources during the pandemic.
Ms. Rachel’s innovative approach, combining classic children’s songs with original music and inclusive subject matter, resonated with a wide audience, leading to a surge in subscribers and views on her channel.
Her dedication to early childhood education and her commitment to providing valuable content for children and families contributed to her rapid rise in popularity during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Teaching career
Ms. Rachel, has a profound teaching career that centers around early childhood development and music education.
Her dedication to supporting children’s learning is evident through her YouTube channel, Songs for Littles, where she focuses on language development for toddlers and infants.
This venture showcases her passion for making a difference in children’s lives through music and play, aligning with her desire to work with kids and positively impact their development.
Additionally, her collaboration with Penguin Random House to publish children’s books further extends her reach in educating and engaging young minds, emphasizing the importance of speech and learning through play and music.
Ms. Rachel’s commitment to education mirrors the sentiments expressed by educators like Amy Pierson and other teachers who view teaching not just as a career but as an act of love, highlighting the challenges and rewards of the profession.
Collaboration with Aron Accurso
Ms. Rachel has a significant collaboration with her husband, Aron Accurso, that extends across various creative ventures.
Aron, a talented musician and composer, has been actively involved in Ms. Rachel’s projects, contributing to the music and lyrics for their musical, We Have Apples.
This collaboration led to a fellowship with the Dramatists Guild of America and showcased their joint efforts in the world of musical theater.
Aron’s musical expertise complements Rachel’s educational background, as she holds dual master’s degrees in early childhood development and music education.
In their YouTube series, Songs for Littles, Aron plays a crucial role, not only as a performer but also as the voice and movements behind the show’s puppets, engaging children in a fun and educational manner.
Furthermore, Aron’s involvement in the music industry, including his work on Broadway productions like Aladdin, adds a rich layer to their joint creative endeavors, highlighting their shared passion for music, education and entertainment.
Children’s books
Ms. Rachel is set to release a series of children’s books in collaboration with Penguin Random House.
The first book, titled Ms. Rachel and the Special Surprise!: Encouraging Speech and Learning Through Play and Music, is scheduled to hit shelves on September 24, 2024.
This educational children’s book, part of a series published under Random House Books for Young Readers, will feature Ms. Rachel in her iconic outfit and incorporate key lessons from her YouTube channel.
The book aims to engage children in exercises like pointing and call and response to help them practice essential milestones, while also including familiar characters and music from Ms. Rachel’s popular videos.
Additionally, families can enhance the learning experience by pairing the book with Ms. Rachel’s line of early-learning toys, such as the Surprise Learning Box, designed to develop children’s sensory, motor, cognitive, social/emotional and communication skills.