Every parent wants their child to do well later on in life, and what better way to give them a good head start than by helping them to become bilingual from a young age?
The French language is important for several reasons; it is used in one of the US’s closest neighbors in parts of Canada, it is often taught in schools, and it can open many doors in the world of international business.
Studies suggest that the earlier people start to learn a language, the quicker they learn. The younger a child is, the more receptive they are in general to picking up new linguistic skills. Helping your child to learn a new language can also be a great bonding experience and fun activity that you can do together on a regular basis.
1. Flash Cards and Fun Games
Images can be great for helping kids to learn, and language trivia and games mean that your children can have fun and learn at the same time! You don’t need to spend a fortune paying for flash cards though – there are numerous websites available, such as Instant Display, where you can download and print your own for free. Alternatively, you can make them yourself if you are in a creative mood. Show an image and drill the name – start with basic things, such as animals, colours, numbers, days of the week, and months, and then gradually increase your child’s vocabulary in this way. You can create your own games using the flash cards – all it takes is a bit of imagination! Try putting them in different parts of the room or house, saying the word, and asking your kid to retrieve the correct image. Or, for even more giggles, reverse the roles whereby your kid says the word and sends you scurrying to find the picture!
French Flash Flash Cards
2. French Cartoons and Movies
Look for fun and educational French language cartoons and short movies on YouTube. Cartoons are great for little kids, as they sometimes know the main characters, the dialogue is simple, and they capture their interest. Asterix is a famous French cartoon that is also good for children. As your child’s understanding increases you can watch short clips that have more characters, more dialogue, and a greater plot. Perhaps as well as just watching, you could discuss them with your kid – things like what do they think of X character and why? Why is A mad with B? You can also help your kid to check words they are not sure of and keep a vocabulary list. French music, such as nursery rhymes for younger children and pop songs for older kids, are also great for helping your children to speak French well.
3. Get a Nanny
Having a native French nanny is a terrific way to help kids to develop language skills, in a comfortable and natural environment. Children can build a rapport with their nanny and develop incredible confidence. It is also a perfect way for parents to brush up on their language skills! The whole family can benefit from the on-tap language skills of a native French speaker right at home, at all hours of the day and evening.
4. A Blanket and a Tea Set
Yes, as silly as this sounds, a blanket and a tea set is a great resource for helping kids to learn French! Every so often, throw a French picnic or tea party, where children have to get into character and speak as much French as they can! Have French treats, such as different cheeses, pastries and breads, and have a pleasant French themed time with your little ones. Or, consider planning your event around another French theme, such as movies – this fantastic article shows you how to host your own summer Cannes festival! As long as your event arouses your kid’s interest, they will naturally want to take part, thus practicing their new skills and picking up even more.
Kids Tea/Picnic Set
5. Adopt a Snail
This great idea is operated by Adopt an Escargot. Whilst mainly aimed at school children, parents can just as easily get their kids involved. Essentially, a snail kit will contain a shell and instructions, and children are encouraged to take pictures of, and write stories about, their snail – all in French of course! They can email the company for “advice” about their snail, and receive correspondence back in French. It is wonderfully imaginative and really gets kids interested. Alternatively, why not have your own special French teddy bear and have your child keep a diary about the bear’s activities, thoughts and feelings – using as much French as possible.
Last, but not least just have fun with your kids as they learn the lovely language of French!
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massholemommy says
Those are all great ideas. I took French for 4 years (7-10th grades) and sadly I can't speak a word of it anymore. I didn't use it for so many years that I lost it.
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Janine Huldie says
I took Italian Robin and was so good at it, but haven't practiced either in years and also lost most of it!
Rosey says
Those are fun ideas!! I took French in high school and remember more of it than I do the Spanish I took in college. 🙂
Incidentally, I bought that picnic set for a friend's little girl's birthday. That's a cool set. 🙂
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Janine Huldie says
I know we had two of them also for each girl here and couldn't resist using that photo for that part, because of it!! 🙂
katbiggie says
These are such fantastic ideas! I never even thought to check for cute cartoons on YouTube. Since I speak french, I have always wanted my children to learn, but haven't really gotten on it yet. I'll be using these ideas!!!
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Janine Huldie says
I really wish I could speak French and my grandmother actually could (she learned it in high school herself), but love that you can and glad this can help you teach your kids it too!! 🙂
ashleyinnc says
Such fabulous ideas! Love the adopt a snail…that is adorable! :)-Ashley
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Janine Huldie says
Ashley, I think that one was my favorite, too!! 🙂
Billybuc says
I almost flunked French in college; why in the world would I want the same thing for my son? LOL Seriously, cool information for young parents. Have a great Wednesday Janine.
Janine Huldie says
Oh Bill, I actually did great Italian in high school, but never took French myself. But keep hearing that young kids pick up second languages so much easier and quicker. So, liked the idea and even the resources to try if you wanted to. But I know still! Have a great day now again 🙂
day-with-kt.com says
We didn't teach our boys any languages while they are young – partly out of laziness and partly because neither my husband or I speak another language fluently. My youngest son has a huge interest in learning languages and through the internet, teaches himself words and phrases.
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Janine Huldie says
So far, I haven't either, but I keep hearing stuff about doing so and the benefits, so I totally welcomed this guest post on ways how too. And love that your youngest son teaches himself new languages, seriously that is awesome 🙂
stephanie2006 says
We're raising our kids bi-lingual. In order to really manage bilingualism, it's important to have a native-speaker around, in order to properly convey rhythm and methodics of a language. The flash cards and other things are nice activities, but probably won't achieve proper bilingualism. Still fun. We've got a book for Lily that taught kids Chinese characters with the help of a story and pictures, and within no time she could recognize the characters even without the pictures, it was amazing!
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Janine Huldie says
That is amazing and seriously give you props for raising your kids bi-lingual. I knew Italian back int he day, but forgot so much, so I have a feeling I wouldn't be a good teacher to my girls to be honest.
Alexa says
Good ideas. Adorable 😉
I will check out your blog in the future. Good ideas!
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much Alexa 🙂
lizzy says
Loved reading this post because, as you know, I'm interested in anything to do with language learning! My son started learning Italian at 5 years old and it was so fascinating witnessing how quickly he picked it up at that age. I love the idea of holding a foreign language picnic and I also love the word escargot! Listening to children's songs in the target foreign language is also a really great learning tool – music is so powerful.
Janine Huldie says
Couldn’t agree more Lizzy and thought of you as I was posting this believe it or not 🙂
another jennifer says
These are cute ideas! I want to adopt a snail. 🙂
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks Jennifer and I know I want to adopt a snail too 🙂
gigigirl says
It's great for kids to know another language….but they do have to hear it spoken for pronunciation, etc. Tapes are a good way for that and supplemented and reinforced with all your suggestions to make it fun. A good family project! I took French in college and can't speak a word! Au revoir……xxxooo
Janine Huldie says
Definitely made smile with that last comment Aunt Gloria and huge thanks!! 🙂 xoxo!!
Katherines Corner says
I lived in France for four years. I have wonderful memories. I wish they taught foreign languages in elementary grades here in the US. By the time I was a teenager. I was speaking English, French, Spanish, Italian and Turkish. Sad thing is that all of these year later I remember very little. Have a wonderful weekend my friend xoxox P.S. I invite you to share your giveaway on my giveaway page
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Janine Huldie says
Wow, that is a lot of languages and seriously can't believe how many you knew. Love that you spoke that many though and also that you lived in France, too. Thank you for sharing that with me and will try to link up my giveaway later today too with you! Happy Weekend!! 🙂
pfchico says
I would love my daughter to learn a different language. These are all adorable ideas. I am half Vietnamese. I was never taught. I wish my mother had taught me when I was young.
Janine Huldie says
My mother spoke Italian, as did my grandparents and wish I was tuahgt at a younger age, as well, because I did learn it in high school, but just wasn't the same and didn't hold onto nearly as much of it as I would have liked to. So, totally can relate.
Luffy Sandreas says
wow, it’s great ideas. I never even thought to check for cute cartoons on YouTube.I always wanted my children to learn it, but haven’t really gotten on it yet. I’ll be using these ideas. thanks janine