à petits pas: French Classes for Toddlers (Pre-K / Ages 1–5)

Location: In Person at FIAF Manhattan
Level: French as a Second Language, French for Native Speakers
Winter Jan 8–Mar 18 • Spring Apr 1–Jun 10 • Summer Jun 22–Aug 30

Age 1
Weekdays, 10 weeks, 45 mins once per week, $379

Preschool & Pre-K (Ages 2–5)
Weekdays, 10 weeks, 90 mins once per week, $499
Special groups offered for native French speakers

Toddlers learn, laugh, and play en français better in person!

Small classes with strict safety guidelines are offered in person at FIAF to meet the needs of parents and children. Offered in the bright and spacious classrooms in FIAF’s beautiful Upper East Side building, the à petits pas program promotes a gentle French immersion experience in small groups to ensure individual attention for each child.

APP 1 and APP 2-3/2-3 BIL (Preschool) require the presence of an adult to help the children interact with the teacher and with the group. APP 3-5/3-5 BIL (Pre-K) are drop-off classes.

Our year-round à petits pas program encourages your petit to discover the language through a structured curriculum based on a child’s daily life, enriched with games, songs, dance, and arts-and-crafts. Classes are offered for toddlers who are new to French as well as those growing up in a French-speaking family. Our qualified and experienced teachers will make each class engaging and fun for your child.

Our program this Spring will include topics such as introducing yourself, family, animals, seasons… among many other fun activities!

  • About à petits pas

    Specifically designed for children ages 1–5 by experts in early childhood education, our curriculum emphasizes the importance of experiential and multi-sensory learning techniques to help children develop cognitively, socially, and emotionally. In this program, the teacher uses music, movement, visual arts, and theater-based games to teach toddlers French. Toddlers will be able to engage with the five senses, memorize vocabulary, understand and pronounce short sentences. Additionally, this program is very helpful if you are looking for a French or bilingual preschool.

    In à petits pas classes, toddlers will socialize through the following interactive games and routines:

    • Speaking: Conversation skills are emphasized through routine questions and weekly vocabulary.
    • Singing: Toddlers will absorb the musicality of the language through songs and comptines.
    • Moving: Toddlers will follow choreographed movements to associate words with movements. They will also relax and focus on words and ideas through yoga exercises.
    • Reading: The teacher will read stories and poetry connected to the vocabulary.
    • Creating: Toddlers will create visual artwork to review colors and shapes.

    Parents receive vocabulary lists, selection of phrases, as well as Spotify song playlists for continued learning and fun at home. Emails are sent to parents on a regular basis to keep them abreast of the program including special events.

  • à petits pas (age 1)

    Introduce your 12 to 24-month-old toddler to the sounds of French!

    In this à petits pas (age 1) class, your child will be immersed in fun activities for the eyes and ears while learning to recognize new sounds and familiar objects in a French-language environment. All activities are designed especially for very young children and include greetings, songs, movement, stories, art and crafts, and more.

    The interactions and activities promote child and parent bonding.

    One parent or caregiver must attend class with the child.

  • à petits pas (Preschool, ages 2–3)

    In this à petits pas classes for preschoolers (ages 2–3), your child will pick up new words and language structures, using them in a variety of stimulating activities such as fun arts-and-crafts projects, dancing, games, and stories. Through the repetition of vocabulary and basic language structures, as well as the interaction between his or her teacher and classmates, your child’s fluency and confidence in the language will grow.

    à petits pas (age 1) is not required to take à petits pas (age 2–3).

    One parent or caregiver must attend class with the child.

  • à petits pas (Pre-K, ages 3–5)

    In this à petits pas classes for toddlers currently in Pre-K (ages 3-5), your child will be exposed to more vocabulary and language structures. They will learn to make very simple sentences while being introduced to written French. Toddlers will act out stories, play games, sing, and dance, all centered around a picture book that will serve as the central theme of the session. Children practice lively routines in French that demonstrate the French savoir faire.

    à petits pas (age 2–3) is not required to take à petits pas (age 3–5).

    This is a drop-off class. We can only accept children who are toilet-trained and accustomed to separation.

  • à petits pas for Native French-Speakers (ages 2–5)

    Designed especially for children already immersed in French through their parents or nanny, these classes are perfect for further developing a child’s French language skills while nurturing his/her multiculturalism.

    Preschool (Age 2–3)
    As your child is already familiar with French, à petits pas for native French speakers will give them the opportunity to interact and start speaking in French with other children of their age. Through arts-and-crafts projects, songs, stories, and movement, your child will become more and more confident expressing himself in French. Toddlers practice lively routines in French that demonstrate the French savoir faire.

    One parent or caregiver must attend class with the child.

    Pre-K (Age 3–5)
    Your child will be exposed to more French culture while improving his ability to express himself in French. With a curriculum based on children’s books, your child will enjoy classical “literature” and have the chance to practice the vocabulary he learns from the readings. Your child will be introduced to written language. Classes will also include engaging activities such as songs, arts-and-crafts projects, theater, games, and physical activities. Children practice lively routines in French that demonstrate the French savoir vivre.

    à petits pas (age 2–3) is not required to take à petits pas (age 3–5).

    This is a drop-off class. We can only accept children who are toilet-trained and accustomed to separation.

  • Read Testimonials

    Our daughter absolutely adores her French class at FIAF. She lights up when it’s time for class. The teachers really take the time interact with each child. From being immersed in the language, to the songs and arts and crafts, she has fallen in love with French. We have FIAF to thank!
    — Juliette’s parents

    I like that my son is not only having an amazingly rich, busy and structured experience, but he is being exposed to French in such a positive way that he is developing an interest in the language that comes entirely from within himself!
    — Oliver’s parents

Note About Class Formats: à petits pas Toddler classes and French for Benjamins classes are held entirely in person at FIAF or entirely online on Zoom. Classes for children ages 7 and older are HyFlex with online and in-person students attending the same class via 360° cameras in the classroom.