Kindergarten French Activities
The article "Learning a Second Language: When & Why" states that children are more likely to master a second language when they start learning it at a young age. Kindergarten can be an excellent time to help students learn a new language. Engage students by allowing them to participate in activities they enjoy while using and listening to French words.
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Making Dictionaries
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Review French vocabulary words with students. Provide magazines and give them a sheet of paper with the French word and English translation. Let students cut out a picture that helps them remember the word. Staple the sheets together so that the kindergartners make their own dictionaries. Encourage children to refer to their dictionaries when they forget translations.
Songs
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Kindergarten children love music. Purchase a CD of French songs. Encourage children to sing the songs. Young children may have limited attention spans, so singing will entertain them as they learn. When possible, accompany the songs with hand motions to help children remember the words.
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Games
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Play a French version of Simon says. As you tell the students what to do in French, have them observe your hand motions. Make a board game where students move game pieces on a multi-colored path. Let them select cards that indicate the colors in French so that they know where to move their game pieces. You might also have the children play Bingo and call out the numbers in French.
Kids' French Books
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Read the kindergartners a popular story in French. Point to items in the pictures to reinforce vocabulary. Ask questions in English and encourage students to name various items in the pictures in French. Review the vocabulary by making cards and putting pictures of various items next to French words.
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References
Resources
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