You don't need to speak French fluently to help your child learn it. Children pick up a new language through repetition, play and everyday moments, and a few minutes a day at home can make a real difference to what they learn in class. Here are ten simple, low-cost ideas any family can try.

1. Label things around the house

Put sticky notes on everyday objects: la porte (the door), la fenêtre (the window), le frigo (the fridge), la table. Say the word out loud each time you use the object. Once your child knows a room, swap the notes for a new one.

2. Sing French songs together

Songs are one of the fastest ways for children to learn sounds and rhythm. Start with classics such as « Frère Jacques », « Alouette » or « Une souris verte », or sing and count along with our Sing and Count in French activities.

3. Make French part of a daily routine

Choose one routine, such as breakfast, bath time or the drive to school, and use French phrases during it every day. Bonjour ! Tu as faim ? Mets tes chaussures. Short, repeated phrases stick far better than long lessons.

4. Read picture books aloud

Borrow French picture books from your local library; most public libraries in Canada have a French children's section. Point at the pictures, name what you see and let your child turn the pages. Bilingual books are a great choice if you're still learning yourself.

5. Switch cartoons to French

Many streaming services let you change the audio language. Watching a favourite show in French means your child already knows the story and can focus on the words. Turn on French subtitles for older children.

6. Play simple French games

Classic games work beautifully in French: « Jacques a dit » (Simon says), I spy (« Je vois quelque chose de… rouge »), memory cards with French words, or bingo with numbers and colours.

7. Cook a recipe in French

Make crêpes or a simple fruit salad and name each ingredient and step in French: la farine, les œufs, le lait, mélanger, verser. Counting spoonfuls is a fun way to practise numbers.

8. Set up a weekly French video call

If you have French-speaking family or friends, schedule a short call where your child says hello, answers a few questions or shows a drawing. Speaking to a real person gives children a reason to use the language.

9. Celebrate small wins

Keep a word wall or sticker chart for every new word your child learns. Praise effort, not perfection. Mistakes are a normal part of learning a language, and confidence keeps children talking.

10. Join a live class

Practising at home works best alongside regular lessons with a teacher. Live online classes give children the chance to listen, ask questions and speak French with other kids their age, from anywhere in Canada.

Keep it fun

Ten minutes of French every day is more useful than one long session once a week. Pick two or three ideas from this list, make them part of your family's routine, and add more as your child's confidence grows.

Learn French with Toyo

Toyo Educational Training & Counseling is a charity that helps children, youth and families learn French through live online classes, tutoring and fun activities. Book a free consultation to find the right class for your child, or explore our ToyoKids program.