Image: Netflix
Popular YouTube toddler learning show Ms. Rachel is coming to Netflix. It will start with a four-episode season of “curated compilation” videos on January 27th, the company announced today.
Netflix says this first batch of “research-backed” educational videos aimed at early child development will cover topics like learning to talk or read. Here’s the list from Netflix’s announcement:
Learn to Talk — “What’s in the Box?” Speech and Toddler Learning
Baby Learning — First words, Milestones, Nursery Rhymes, and Songs
Learn to Read — Phonics, ABCs, and Preschool Learning
Hop Little Bunnies — Plus More Songs and Nursery rhymes
As a work-from-home parent who had a toddler and no daycare options early in the covid pandemic, I’m well familiar with the shortfalls of YouTube Kids, where shows like Ms. Rachel exist but which is also filled with inane content. Past reporting has also found the algorithmic recommendations included inappropriate videos.
There aren’t always great alternatives, either. Other streaming platforms have programming for kids, but it’s comparatively sparse. As my child has gotten older, that stuff has gotten boring, even with the limited screen time we allow. Ms. Rachel’s debut on Netflix may not fix that for older kids but it could offer parents of very young children somewhere to go besides YouTube.