How to Support Your Child’s French Learning This Summer (Even If You Don’t Speak French or Travel Abroad)

"Last summer, my daughter forgot how to say 'bonjour'... and I panicked!" Sounds familiar?

If French isn’t spoken at home and there are no summer travel plans to a Francophone country, many parents wonder: 

How can I help my child stay connected to French over the break, without speaking it myself? 

The good news: you don’t need to be fluent or spend money on travel to make a difference. A few fun, consistent habits at home can help your child keep learning and loving the language.  

Why Summer Support Matters 

Language is a living skill; it thrives through daily exposure, curiosity, and confidence. Without continued input over the summer, children may lose fluency or feel hesitant when school resumes. But with even a little daily French — songs, stories, or virtual field trips — you can keep it alive and joyful. 

Why Your Home Language Still Matters 

One of the best things you can do? Keep using your home language regularly. 

According to the Center for Applied Linguistics, a strong foundation in a child's first language supports the development of their second language. Why? Because essential thinking skills — like sequencing, comparing, storytelling, and asking questions — all transfer from one language to another. 

So when you talk, sing, or read with your child in your own language, you're not “competing” with French — you're building the skills that help it thrive. 

What You Can Do — Without Speaking French 

1. Make French Part of Daily Life 

Create gentle, natural exposure: 

• Play French music during snack, in the car, or at bath time 

• Watch a short cartoon or nature video in French 

• Let your child teach you one French word per day 

Children love being “the expert” — let them shine! 

2. Explore Virtual Francophone Culture 

You don’t need a passport to explore French-speaking places. Try virtual tours of the Louvre Museum, the Orsay Museum, or Château de Versailles. 

Ask your child to describe what they see or hear — in any language! 

3. Read, Watch, and Play in French 

Exposure through stories and games keeps learning light and fun: 

• Bilingual or French storybooks 

• Audiobooks or read-alouds in French 

• French cartoons, nature shows, or music videos 

• Printable games, puzzles, or language apps 

Let them choose what sparks joy. 

4. Celebrate French Through Food and Culture 

Try small cultural celebrations at home: 

• Cook something French — even if it’s just crepes! 

• Celebrate Bastille Day (July 14) with crafts or songs 

• Color a French flag or build a mini-Eiffel Tower 

  

 5. Encourage Curiosity Over Perfection 

What matters most isn’t perfect grammar — it’s a positive emotional connection. 

• Praise effort, not just correctness 

• Be curious with them (“What do you think this word means?”) 

• Enjoy the journey — mistakes and funny pronunciation included 

Your FISW Summer French Resource Toolkit 

We've curated a free Padlet with: 

• Virtual museum links and cultural activities 

• Podcasts for all ages 

• Read-alouds and storybooks 

• Scientific Conferences – Free replay 

• Cartoons and educational videos 

• Vocabulary 

• Printable coloring 

• And much more! 

Click here to explore the Summer French Resource FISW Padlet 

Perfect for families who don’t speak French but want to stay engaged. 

Un petit mot pour finir… (A last word…) 

You don’t need to be fluent in French — just supportive and curious. By keeping your child’s learning fun, playful, and meaningful over the summer, you’re not just reinforcing a language — you’re nurturing confidence, culture, and a lifelong love of learning. 

Bonnes vacances! Have a wonderful summer!