Starting French with young children
Preschoolers are often curious about new sounds and enjoy songs, games, and silly words, which makes the early years a pleasant time to introduce another language. You do not need to be fluent to begin. The goal at this age is exposure, enjoyment, and a few words, not mastery.
Short, regular, playful moments work better than long lessons. Five or ten minutes a few times a week can be enough to start.
Simple vocabulary to begin with
Start with a small set of words tied to things your child sees every day.
- Greetings: bonjour (hello), au revoir (goodbye), merci (thank you), s’il te plaît (please)
- Colors: rouge (red), bleu (blue), jaune (yellow), vert (green); see how to introduce colors in preschool for activities
- Numbers: un, deux, trois (one, two, three), and onward as your child is ready
- Animals: chat (cat), chien (dog), oiseau (bird)
- Family: maman, papa
Use audio from a trusted source so you can hear the pronunciation, since French spelling and sounds can be tricky for English speakers. Pick a word or two a week and use them in daily life.
Games to play
Many familiar preschool games work in French with just a few new words.
- Jacques a dit (Simon Says). Give simple commands such as “saute” (jump) or “touche ton nez” (touch your nose). Check pronunciation first, and demonstrate the action as you say the word.
- Memory match. Make pairs of picture cards, such as animals or colors, and say each word in French when it is flipped.
- Bingo. Use pictures instead of words. Call out the French word and have children cover the matching picture.
- Treasure hunt (chasse au trésor). Hide objects or picture cards. Give clues in French along with gestures, and have children bring back “something rouge.”
- I spy (je vois). Say “Je vois quelque chose de bleu” and let your child guess.
- Charades. Act out an animal and let your child say its name.
Keep rules simple and cheer for effort.
Songs and rhymes
Songs are a gentle way to hear rhythm and repeated vocabulary. Traditional French children’s songs such as “Frère Jacques,” “Alouette,” and “Au clair de la lune” are widely recorded and easy to find. Singing the same song several times builds familiarity. Add motions where you can: pat your head, clap, or point.
If you use a homeschool preschool circle time, a French hello song or counting song is an easy daily add-on.
Books, picture cards, and routines
- Bilingual picture books. Look for books that pair French and English words, and see our best preschool picture books for general read-aloud picks.
- Labels. Put simple French labels on a few objects around your home.
- Routine phrases. Say “bonne nuit” at bedtime or “bon appétit” at meals.
- Picture flash cards. Show a card, say the word, and have your child repeat.
Role-play
Pretend play gives words a purpose.
- Pretend café or market. Practice “bonjour,” “merci,” and counting items. Play money and toy food are enough.
- Puppets. A stuffed animal who only speaks French can be a charming helper.
- Story with pictures. Tell a short story with pictures and add a few French words.
If you don’t speak French
Many parents learn alongside their child. Some tips:
- Use a free or low-cost online lesson, video series, or app. Preview anything before sharing it, and consider screen-time limits for young children.
- Visit your library for bilingual books and recordings.
- Look for a local playgroup or class where children hear the language from a fluent speaker.
- Don’t worry about perfect pronunciation. Your enthusiasm matters more.
Realistic expectations
At this age, it is normal for a child to recognize a few words and songs and not much else. That is a good beginning. Consistency over time matters more than intensity, and a child who enjoys the experience will probably be more open to learning later.
You can fold language into the rest of your week. Our guides to homeschooling kindergarten activities and in-home activities for preschoolers offer ideas for where it can fit, and our list of Italian games for preschoolers shows how similar games work in another language.