à petits pas: French Classes for Toddlers (Pre-K / Ages 2–5)

Location: In Person at FIAF Montclair
Level: French as a Second Language, French for Native Speakers
Winter Jan 8–Mar 18 • Spring Apr 1–Jun 10 • Summer Jun 22–Aug 24

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

Toddlers learn, laugh, and play en français at FIAF Montclair!

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. Classes are taught entirely in French and in small groups to ensure that each child receives personal attention.

Specifically designed for children ages 2–5 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.

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.

  • Age 2–3½ — All Levels

    In à petits pas classes for ages 2–3½ , 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 with their classmates and the teacher, your child’s fluency and confidence in the language will grow.

    Child must be at least 2 years old when they join the program and/or must be born between March 1, 2020 and September 1, 2021 to take this class.

    This is a drop-off class.

  • Age 3½–5 — French as a Second Language

    In à petits pas classes for ages 3½–5, your child will be exposed to more vocabulary and language structures. They will be encouraged to make simple sentences to introduce themselves, express basic needs or feelings. Toddlers will act out stories, play games, sing, and dance. During snack time, children practice lively routines in French that demonstrate the French savoir faire.

    Child must be born between between September 1, 2018 and February 28, 2020 to take this class.

    This is a drop-off class.

  • Age 3½–5 — Native French-Speakers

    Designed especially for children already immersed in French at home or at school, these classes are perfect for further developing your child’s French language skills while nurturing their multiculturalism.

    Children will be exposed to more French culture while improving their ability to express themselves in French. With a curriculum based on children’s books, children will enjoy classical literature for children and have the chance to practice the vocabulary they learn from the readings. Children will also be introduced to written language.

    Classes will also include engaging activities such as songs, arts-and-crafts projects, theater, games, and physical activities. During snack time, children practice lively routines in French that demonstrate the French savoir vivre.

    Child must be born between between September 1, 2018 and February 28, 2020 to take this class.

    This is a drop-off class.

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.