French and Sign Language resources for 4 yr old?

[hapersmion]

Hi! I'm just starting my research here - my four-year-old really wants to go to public school, because we live near one and all his neighbor friends go. He doesn't make the age cut-off (and I'd rather homeschool anyway), but I've told him he can do "practice school" this year. He's really excited.

I really want to teach him French, and he's amenable - he's also really interested in sign language, since we're teaching the baby some. Does anyone have any good recommendations for materials for such a young kid, for either language? I speak French fairly well myself, but I'm not sure how to teach it in a fun way, or where to start. I'm thinking only 5-10 minutes per day to start out with.

[EmmysMama]

If you're okay with TV, Signing Time is a great series for kids. Every kid to see it at my house has loved it. Some libraries have them. There are some activities on their website too, like a progress tracker (he could check off signs as he learns them) and coloring pages (I'm sure any 4yo would like to color as part of his "lessons"). If you watch the "extras" on each DVD there's more info on proper ASL grammar and stuff like that.

[SundayCrepes]

For French, just talk to him. We do a Spanish playgroup. She talks to the kids in Spanish and makes it clear what she means. So, she might tell them to put the stuffed dog in the basket. She'll point to the dog then into the basket. Start with your little one as well. Maybe speak French one day and English the next. Or only French before lunch or whatever. They will pick up the language very quickly that way with no actual instruction. Dog is perro. Not necessary, just pet the dog and say Nice Dog in French.

[onyxravnos]

signing time is really fantastic. and i have a french program thats called ' Learn French Together' which is rather nice as it's intended for parents and children to learn the language together.

[heatherdeg]

I introduced French as part of speaking to my ds daily. So I would say the French phrase to him, repeat it in English, then repeat it in French. I would do it slow, but not "instructionally"--just as if I were saying the same thing 3 times. I still do it.

We also do "Bonjour Les Amis" videos. My son loves the songs and still sings "Sur La Pont D'Avignon". We tried Muzzy, but it was AWFUL! The DVDs almost seemed like they were recorded from worn out VHS videos. They were so garbled and my son wasn't really into it anyway.

We also read French books that you can get from Amazon or Amazon-France. There's a bilingual series or you can get full-on French books (we liked the Didou ones at that age).

For signing, I'm no help.

[momofmine]

Yes, I agree, Muzzy was horrid. That poor queen, everybody calling her fat. And then the creepy cloning princesses.

I had a thread a while back with French resources, I will try to dig it up for you. My kids liked Bonjour Les Amis also, and your DS is probably a good age for that now. I also requested a lot of classic children's books in French at our library, books that my kids also have in English, so that was good. Our library is great about buying books that patrons request. We also have quite a few children's books in French of our own. I agree, just speak and read to him in French for part of the day. My kids like the Rosetta Stone program, and I would bet that at his age (is he close to 5?), he would like doing it with your help for 5 or 10 minutes like you're saying. My child did it at 5, with help, making it a fun thing we did together.

You could also get French songs for in the car.

[momofmine]

If you search my username and "French" as the keyword, there are several good threads, one that even had both French and sign language resources in it! Good luck!

[bethanyclaire]

We happened to find a copy of Hooked on Phonics French for ages 4-6 at a discount store. It was a whole package with workbooks and a software CD for $7. I've taken 6 years of French (and can still barely speak it...) and I wish I had a program like that when I started learning. Nice, clear speech (unlike Muzzy) and lots of repetition, which the kids like because it helps them feel confident. They have both really gotten into it and can count (and recognize/use correct numbers... not just count sequentially) to ten. It was only 3 days before they really caught on and they are learning quickly now as well. I like the program very much.

[hapersmion]

Thanks, everyone! I've been trying to speak French to him since he was born, but I just CANNOT remember to do it! I'll do it for a day, and then nothing for a month. Maybe if I schedule it into our homeschool day it will go better.

I'll look into those resources and those other threads, too, it's good to have a starting point!

(The Canadian flag is just there because my son wanted it, we're in the US.)