Introducing French to kids offers immense benefits. It enhances cognitive development, fosters cultural understanding, and lays a strong foundation for future language skills. Through engaging activities, kids learn the language and develop creativity and curiosity. Early exposure to French promotes global awareness and opens doors to diverse opportunities in our interconnected world.
Why Should You Teach Your Kids French?
Teaching French to children is beneficial in several ways. Firstly, it boosts cognitive development, improving problem-solving skills and memory. Secondly, it fosters cultural appreciation by introducing kids to French customs and traditions, broadening their perspective.
It also opens doors to future opportunities, as proficiency in multiple languages is highly valued in many areas. Moreover, learning French at a young age is fun and engaging, making kids curious and eager to explore the language and culture. Overall, teaching French to children equips them with valuable skills and instils a sense of curiosity, empathy, and global awareness that will benefit them throughout their lives.
A. French For Kids of 1-3 Years
French Nursery Rhymes
1. “Frère Jacques” (Brother John)
2. “Une Souris Verte” (A Green Mouse)
3. “Promenons-nous dans les bois” (Let’s Go for a Walk in the Woods)
4. “Il était un petit navire” (There Was a Little Ship)
5. “Petit Escargot” (Little Snail)
French Lullabies
1. “Dodo, l’enfant do” (Sleep, Child Sleep)
2. “Fais dodo, Colas mon p’tit frère” (Go to Sleep, Colas My Little Brother)
3. “Dors, petit bébé” (Sleep, Little Baby)
4. “La berceuse du petit diable” (The Little Devil’s Lullaby)
5. “Une chanson douce” (A Sweet Song)
French Flashcard
B. French For Kids: 5-8 Years
French Cartoons
1. Caillou
This series features Caillou, a curious and adventurous four-year-old boy who explores the world around him, learns valuable life lessons, and engages in imaginative play.
2. Petit Ours Brun
Based on the popular children’s book character, Petit Ours Brun (Little Brown Bear) follows the everyday experiences of a young bear and his family, teaching children about friendship, family dynamics, and emotions.
3. Trotro
Trotro is a mischievous little donkey who embarks on playful adventures while learning important lessons about responsibility, empathy, and problem-solving.
4. Tintin
Tintin is a classic comic book character who, along with his faithful dog Snowy, travels around the world, solving mysteries, encountering adventures, and promoting bravery and justice.
5. Les Schtroumpfs (The Smurfs)
This beloved series features the Smurfs, small blue creatures who live in a forest village. Each Smurf has a distinct personality, and their adventures often revolve around teamwork, friendship, and overcoming challenges.
French Movies
1. “Le Petit Nicolas” (Little Nicholas)
Based on the beloved children’s book series, this film follows the mischievous adventures of Nicolas and his friends. It’s entertaining, funny, and relatable for kids in this age group.
2. “Les Choristes” (The Chorus)
While more suitable for older kids, “Les Choristes” tells the heartwarming story of a music teacher who transforms a group of troubled boys through the power of music. It’s a touching film with beautiful music.
3. “Une Vie de Chat” (A Cat in Paris)
This animated film follows the adventures of a cat who leads a double life as a pet by day and a cat burglar’s accomplice by night. It’s a fun and exciting movie with a unique storyline.
4. “La Guerre des Boutons” (War of the Buttons)
A charming film about two rival gangs of kids who engage in playful battles in the French countryside. It’s a nostalgic and heartwarming tale of friendship and adventure.
5. “Kirikou et la Sorcière” (Kirikou and the Sorceress)
This animated film is based on African folklore and follows the brave young hero Kirikou as he sets out to save his village from an evil sorceress. It’s an engaging and culturally rich story for kids.
French Games
1. French Bingo (Loto)
2. Memory Match (Jeu de Mémoire)
3. Simon Says (Jacques a dit)
4. French Word Scavenger Hunt (Chasse au Trésor des Mots)
5. Guess Who? (Qui Est-Ce?)
French Books
1. “Le Petit Prince” (The Little Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
2. “La Chenille Qui Fait Des Trous” (The Very Hungry Caterpillar) by Eric Carle
3. “La Sorcière de la Rue Mouffetard” (The Witch of Rue Mouffetard) by Pierre Gripari
4. “Martine” series by Gilbert Delahaye and Marcel Marlier
5. “Max et les Maximonstres” (Where the Wild Things Are) by Maurice Sendak
C. French For Kids: 8+
Tutoring
Tutoring is pivotal in supplementing children’s French language learning journey by providing personalized attention and guidance tailored to their needs. Unlike online or offline self-paced learning, tutoring offers real-time feedback, interactive discussions, and targeted support, enhancing comprehension and fluency. La Forêt’s French Class for children embodies this personalized approach, integrating online and offline resources to cater to diverse learning styles. Experienced instructors at La Forêt create engaging lessons, interactive activities, and cultural insights, fostering an immersive and stimulating learning environment. This holistic approach ensures that children grasp the language’s fundamentals and develop practical communication skills for real-life situations, making La Forêt an ideal choice for language tutoring.
Apps
1. Duolingo Kids
2.Memrise
3. Mindsnacks French
4. Babbel Kids
5. LingoDeer
Make Learning French a Family Activity
1. Family Movie Nights in French:
- Movie Selection: Choose family-friendly French films or animated movies with subtitles in French. For example, watch “Le Petit Prince” (The Little Prince) or “Kirikou et la sorcière” (Kirikou and the Sorceress).
- Discussion Sessions: After watching the movie, have discussions in French about the plot, characters, and favourite scenes. Encourage family members to express their thoughts and opinions in French, practising listening and speaking skills.
2. French Language Games and Challenges:
- Scrabble in French: Play Scrabble using French words and a dictionary. Encourage family members to come up with creative words and use them in sentences.
- Daily Vocabulary Challenge: Have a daily vocabulary challenge where each family member learns a new French word every day. Use flashcards or a language-learning app to practice and reinforce vocabulary.
3. Cooking French Cuisine Together:
- Recipe Exploration: Explore French cuisine by cooking traditional dishes together as a family. Try making dishes like quiche, ratatouille, or crepes using French recipes and ingredients.
- Language Immersion: Use French cooking terms and instructions during the cooking process. Encourage family members to learn and use phrases like “mélanger” (mix), “cuire” (cook), and “déguster” (taste) while preparing the meal.
4. Storytelling and Reading in French:
- Family Storytime: Have regular family storytime sessions where everyone reads or listens to French stories aloud. Choose age-appropriate books like “Martine” series or “Les Aventures de Tintin” (The Adventures of Tintin).
- Create Your Own Stories: Encourage creativity by creating collaborative French stories as a family. Each member adds a sentence or paragraph to the story, building a unique narrative and practicing language skills.
By incorporating these activities into family routines, learning French becomes a collaborative and enjoyable experience that strengthens family bonds and creates a supportive language-learning environment.
Conclusion
Teaching French to kids offers immense benefits, from cognitive development to cultural understanding. It lays a strong foundation for language skills and fosters curiosity and empathy. By using engaging activities like nursery rhymes, cartoons, books, games, and family activities, parents can make learning French fun and interactive. La Forêt French Class provides excellent tutoring for children, ensuring a supportive and effective learning environment. Start the journey to French proficiency today with our A1.1 course and open doors to a world of opportunities for your child’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is French easy to learn for kids?
French can be relatively easy for kids to learn due to its straightforward pronunciation rules and similarity to English in some aspects. Using interactive methods like games, songs, and stories can make learning French enjoyable and accessible for young learners.
How can I teach my child French?
You can teach your child French through immersive activities such as reading French books together, playing language games, watching French cartoons or movies, and incorporating French into daily routines like cooking and storytelling. Consistency, patience, and fun are key to effective language learning.
Can kids learn French from TV?
Yes, kids can learn French from TV shows, cartoons, and educational programs designed for language learning. Watching French content with subtitles and discussing the episodes in French afterward can enhance comprehension and vocabulary acquisition. However, interactive engagement and varied learning activities are essential for comprehensive language learning.
How to teach basic French?
Teaching basic French can be engaging through interactive methods like games, songs, and visual aids. La Forêt French for junior classes offers a structured and fun approach to learning French tailored for young learners. Their course website provides detailed information and resources to support children’s language development.