If your child is in French immersion or if you’re teaching them French at home, incorporating French into your family’s day-to-day can help them acquire the language faster and easier. Here are five opportunities for kids to practice French daily.
Planning the day
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Since many toddlers and preschoolers have a rough schedule, you can encourage them to discuss planned or anticipated events in French.
“After lunch, we will go to the playground.”
“Après le déjeuner, nous irons à l’aire de jeux.”
What’s your favourite game?
Quel est ton jeu préféré?
Getting dressed
Getting dressed is part of your child’s daily routine, so this activity provides a chance for repetition. Children can practice talking about clothing, colours, patterns, and even sequences in French.
For instance, you can ask your child:
“What do you want to wear today? The blue t-shirt or the yellow t-shirt?”
“Que veux-tu mettre aujourd’hui? Le t-shirt bleu ou le t-shirt jaune?”
Related: Winter clothing vocabulary in French
Observing the weather
Depending on where you live, you may experience predictable weather patterns or extreme variations. Just last week, we experienced rain, snow, and sun within a period of a couple of hours! No wonder we’re always talking about the weather.
Related: Talking about the weather in French
To make things more interesting, you could even set up a thermometer in your yard or on your balcony.
“It’s minus 4 degrees.”
“Il fait moins 4 degrés.”
Mealtimes
Preparing a meal is a fun practical life activity for kids, but it is also the perfect time to practice French at home. Even something as simple as a cereal breakfast gives our petits cuisiners a chance to practice food vocabulary in French.
Related: Learn French transition words while making breakfast
Completing chores
Does your child help out with chores at home? Involving them in manageable tasks such as putting away their dirty clothes in the laundry basket can be a fun way to learn French.
Related: Teach toddlers French while doing laundry together
You can even turn cleanup time into a musical, with French songs for kids.
Related: French song for kids: cleanup time
How does your family practice french daily?
