We Had a Special Guest in the Office

I’m sure some of you noticed we had a celebrity in the office a few months ago…none other than Ms Rachel!! MVP was fortunate enough to host Ms. Rachel and her crew to film an episode of her amazing YouTube show, Songs For Littles, in which she visits the doctor. Not only was it a fun experience for the office, it provided material for children around the world to decrease fear of visiting the doctor.

What to Make of Screens

In this day and age it is so hard to know what to make of screens. Are they all bad? Is it that black and white? Didn’t we all grow up watching Electric Company and Sesame Street? On the other hand, don’t screens increase ADHD and anxiety? As a parent it can be confusing to figure out what to do.

But then you have one of those endless Saturdays, when your 2 year old barely naps, you’ve been running with them since 5:45 AM and you haven’t showered for over 72 hours. Your partner is out with your older child, and you can’t bear another trip to the playground. Is it the worst thing to turn on the good old boob tube?

My answer: NO! It’s ok. As a parent and a pediatrician, I am giving you permission to sit your exhausted butt on the couch, take a break and turn on Ms. Rachel. What makes this different? A few things…

What Makes an Episode of Ms. Rachel

Rachel (and Aron, Jules, Herbie, Natalie, and Keisha ) is not just mindlessly stimulating your toddler. She’s teaching them and playing with them, and even though she’s on the TV, she’s getting them to interact with her. When my 2-year-old daughter watches her, I find her talking to the screen and yelling out colors or lines from songs.

Did You Know

Ms. Rachel has a master’s in education and is studying speech pathology. She speaks clearly and purposefully to your child. On the show, they do a great job of focusing on her mouth and how she says words- exactly what babies and toddlers need to learn how to speak. She also frequently uses sign language, another great skill for young children to learn.

TikTok is NOT the Same

So, count this pediatrician as a fan of Ms.Rachel. The key is, like so many things, everything in moderation. A little Ms. Rachel or Sesame Street is okay, but TikTok hours are not. It’s essential to see the positive aspects of technology, even
when there is so much mounting evidence of the negatives. Parents are humans who also need breaks at times. If you need the TV as a co-parent sometimes, choose a good one, like Rachel Acruso or Big Bird.