Languages for Toddlers
Nursery Age 1 Curriculum Suggestions
by Katrina Lybbert
If you introduced your baby to foreign languages, you already know how easy it can be! Continue to play the CDs suggested in the Nursery Age 0 Curriculum. Your toddler will also be hearing foreign languages as part of the lullaby lesson ideas.
Through the above ideas you will be sharing a variety of foreign languages with your toddler. Now is also the time to decide on a specific foreign language that you would like as a second language in your family.
In my family, we have chosen to teach French as a second language. Therefore, the following lesson ideas will be shared for teaching French. You can take this example and create similar lesson plans in the language of your choice.
There are two parts to the lesson ideas. The first is teaching the language through children's songs, and the second is teaching a simple vocabulary of 24 words.
Part One - Children's Songs in French
To teach the songs you need to learn the songs first. You should be able to sing the song to your toddler without stumbling over the words and memory. If you don't feel you can sing, just play the recording of the song you have chosen. However, both singing and playing the recording is ideal. I have chosen one song every two lessons. Toddlers love repetition and by spending a month on each song, there is more time for your toddler to learn them.
My Resources for French Children's Songs
French Children's Songs Lesson List
Part Two - French Vocabulary
To teach some vocabulary words, first choose words that will be familiar to your child. Make some picture cards that depict the vocabulary words. You can find pictures in magazines, clip art collections, etc. Paste the picture on one side of the card and print the word in both English and French on the other side. Do not only use the picture cards for teaching the vocabulary words, however. Be sure to point them out in real life and say both the English and French word each time you do. Keep it fun and a natural part of life. As your toddler grows older you can introduce more vocabulary words and at a more rapid pace.
My Resources for French Vocabulary Words
French Vocabulary Lesson List
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