I have a few suggestions for you here. My philosophy when teaching French to children in my class Les Petits Croissants (a weekly class for 0 to 6-year-olds, more information is available by clicking the Classes tab above) is to use French-made, genuine resources which are designed for French children in France (or occasionally in French Canada and Belgium) and used in French schools and by French parents. This is to ensure that I not only provide the children with the best language source, but also to provide them a cultural experience, learning traditional rhymes, songs and games.
Now to the resources I recommend. These are my personal favourites, and are firm favourites with French teachers in France and the general public. They may give you a starting point. See if your children enjoy them too and please let me know your thoughts.
Books
- Petit Ours Brun. Petits Ours Brun, the Little Brown Bear is a timeless classic. If your children are starting to learn French, look for short stories. Petit Ours Brun stories have gained almost cult status because of the charming characters, adverntures children can relate to, and the cheekiness of its hero.
- Didou is another little "person" that children will take to instantly, whether they speak French or not. Didou will help children learn French effortlessly thanks to colourful illustrations. I have the book whose cover is included below, although the cover is long gone. I'd purchaed the book 10 years ago for my first daughter, who absolutely adored it. She has now passed it on to her brother and sister, who are equally obsessed by it. The author Yves Got is a renowed French illustrator.
- Last but not least, T'Choupi is another French creation by illustrator Thierry Courtin which is highly successful in France. the author is also
French children love these three little characters that get up to mischief and have everyday adventures just like they do.
- Elmer and Spot have also been successfully translated in French and are still classics and firm favourites.
Music
- Amipagaille's recent album Des Airs Plein les poches. Can be purchased and samples listened to here on the site of la FNAC . Amipagaille is a duo who composes gorgeous music for kids, that parents are sure to enjoy to. Lyrics are appropriate for all ages, and the melodies are modern and engaging. The CD also comes with all the lyrics to help you learn French and sing along!
- Comptines à Chanter. A series of French modern, traditional, regional rhymes, songs and lullabides recorded with a modern twist. Each CD is accompanied by a book with illustrations and lyrics for each track.
- Tom Pouce et Ribambelle is another classic album for young children, with many appealing and catchy songs for little ones. It's by Agnès Chaumié and in fact I recommend any of her other albums too! They're fun, suitable for ages 0 to middle primary, and the songs are easy to memorise.
- Any album by popular French singer Henri Dès, who has been writing and performing songs for children for as long as I can remember
I hope this gives you a starting point for your French multimedia library.
If you have any questions on this post, or on my weekly French class for 0 to 6-year-olds Les Petits Croissants, please feel free to contact me by clicking on the Contact me page.
Merci!
