Posted on March 14, 2023 by Rosario Arán
French is known as the language of romance, but it is known for way more than just wooing your significant other. The French language has expanded beyond France and represents other cultures since it is spoken on five continents. French is one of the United Nations’ official languages, and each March 20th, the world celebrates French Language Day to celebrate multiculturalism and cultural diversity.
Once upon a time, French was the language that students had to learn in schools, although this trend has changed with English and Spanish taking the stage. I remember that for my grandmother’s generation, people saw French as an elegant and sophisticated language to learn. My generation sacrificed it out of the need to learn a language that would help our careers.
The good news is that children can learn different languages simultaneously. So, you don’t need to choose between two languages, but rather try to learn them both. They soak up everything around them easier than us adults. So, now is the time to start!
How to start teaching French to your children
Of course, the key is to make a slow introduction and know the dos and don’ts when teaching a language to children. Stay calm and move slowly with teaching grammar right at the beginning since it can be complex, especially when they are little.
Start with some easy words for them and take it from there. Then try to make them use the pronunciation; the easiest way to do it is by making it fun. Kids’ tv shows are great for this purpose. Don’t go all in and force them to watch a movie in a different language. Instead, choose a show with characters that speak slowly, and use a manageable vocabulary and appropriate topics for children.
5 Kids Tv shows to introduce your child to French
My favorite since it is a group of animals attending school, and it’s full of sweetness. They speak slowly, making it easy for children to understand what they say.
They are probably familiar already with Paw Patrol and know basic things such as character names. The added advantage of Pup Tales is that they last two minutes, perfect for a brief French lesson for young learners.
It’s perfect for the little ones due to the graphics and because they are short. Moreover, the show demonstrates how to ask questions.
These puppets will have your children’s attention, so they will be able to learn and repeat some words.
It has a whole cast of characters which helps them to listen to different words pronounced through other voices.
Learning French While Having Fun Along the Way
The key to introducing your children to French is to have shows with great stories that they can find entertaining and comprehend what they are saying through the characters’ actions, so they associate words with what the characters are doing. As your children start making these associations, reinforce the learning by having some basic conversations in French or saying common phrases like “good morning” in French. You and your child will be ready for a trip to Paris in no time.
Start teaching your child French today with Oznoz and enjoy a whole library of fun and engaging programming. Amusez-vous et apprenez, mes amis! Have fun and learn, my friends!