Kids Summer French - Tips to Keeping your Child's French this summer:
Although summer is an important break for children, it is known that approximately 30%, sometimes up to 40% of what a child has learned in the previous school year gets lost over the break.
This is because our brain dumps the knowledge that it doesn’t think will be useful anymore.
If your child doesn’t USE their French, they will likely lose some of it while on break. But don’t worry – there’s much we can do to prevent this!
Take a scroll through the tips below. 🙂
Tip #1: Visit your local library with a specific list of French books...
French books are obviously a great way to get some French practice in from home! “But I don’t know how to read French” you might be saying. That’s okay!
Here’s a helpful reading hack for parents who don’t speak, or aren’t confident enough in their French reading skills:
Step 1. Find some French books read aloud on YouTube.
Step 2. Make a list of the ones you want to look for.
Step 3. Bring that list to your library and see if you can find them.
Step 4. Read with your child, alongside the video, until you’re ready to read it yourselves!
Tip #2: Watch French videos
Having your child listen to French through video content can be very helpful! Here are some kids summer French video resources:
- Many shows on Netflix or Disney can be switched to French. Go to the audio settings and change the language!
- French youtube channels such as “Mini TFO”
- “Passe-Partout” is a highly educational and music-oriented French tv show for children under 6yrs.
- Looking to learn with your child? The French OnDemand program is a continuously growing French educational video library. It’s got subtitles in both English & French (so that parents can fully comprehend and support their children!), and fun visuals & effects for children.
Tip # 3. Take a virtual Kids Summer French class!
Madame Amy offers special summer French programming for families hoping to practice their French over the summer.
- “Keep Your French” classes: Children will use their French in fun ways this summer; that way they still get their break, but they don’t lose their French!
- “Prep for School” classes: Madame Amy helps make the transition to school exciting for both parents and children!
- “Fun in French” for Pre-schoolers
All classes are recorded so that you can rewatch or never miss a class even if you have a busy summer planned!
Tip # 4. Practice French in Nature / Outdoors
Who says French learning has to be done indoors?
Here are some steps to practicing your French outside this summer:
- Step 1. Look up some key words for a fun outdoor activity.
Need help? 123 Petits Pas instagram has over 75 free parent & children French cheat sheets available on their page. Check them out! - Step 2. Use your new vocab while you play / explore the outdoors!
- A fun addition to this activity: Try a scavenger hunt. Illustrator Amélie Isabelle has some free and cute French ones available here.
- Step 3. Schedule in your next “French date”, perhaps it’s at a park (au parc), in the forest (dans la forêt), or at the beach (à la plage)!
Tip # 5. Use French Educational Apps for Children
Apps can be a really engaging way for children to practice a new language, and it can be done even if you as the parent don’t speak French yourself.
My favourite app for children age 7 and under: Montessori Preschool by Edoki Academy.
- I’ve been using this app for over 3 years now with my now 5 year old!
- I love how they learn practical skills (personal hygiene, planting and watering seeds, washing the dishes, making a smoothing, chopping veggies etc.)
- I am a big fan of “Parle avec Laura” a little game that’s included where children can practice their conversational French.
- Give the app a try with a free week trial and 50% off their annual fee. 🎉
Tip #6. Have family game night en français!
Board games can be an incredible way to get in some French practice and this tip includes family bonding time so it’s a win-win!
You don’t need to own French board games to have a French games night!
- Snakes and ladders: practice counting en français, as well as addition & subtraction
- Guess Who: practice descriptive words / question asking. Need support? Try the downloadable version here with French cheat sheets included!
- Sequence for kids: practice French animal names
Tip #7. Turn on the French Tunes!
Despite your child perhaps not catching every word, hearing those French-specific sounds is helpful for their language development!
Here are two Spotify playlists we’ve made for you
- One for children’s French music
- One for adults (because you don’t always want to be listening to children’s music I am sure!), but don’t worry, this list is family-friendly.
Tip #8. Plan a French playdate
Allowing your child opportunities to speak the language with someone else will work wonders when it comes to keeping their French.
- Arrange a playdate with a classmate who is learning or who speaks the target language.
- Send a message out to local parenting groups to see if anyone might be interested in arranging a “French playdate”
- Ask family members or friends to speak the target language with your child.
- When in doubt, hire a babysitter (perhaps a teen in your neighbourhood?) who speaks the language!
I hope that this blog helps you practice French with your child this summer! If you have any questions, or have any other recommendations to add to this list, feel free to email me at info@123petitspas.com.
Madame Amy
Owner of 123 Petits Pas Inc. Mother of 2 bilingual children and French educator of families.