New Jersey Classes  
à petits pas for Toddlers

Spring 2012
April 2–June 16
FIAF in Montclair, New Jersey

Program Description
- What is à petits pas ?
- What is a typical à petits pas class like?
- Age Groups & Class Info
- Policies

What is à petits pas ? 

"It was our daughter, Annabelle's first "à petits pas" and she started from 11 [months]. She took 2 classes a week, and both were wonderful. She really loved it and I loved it also. We want to continue to be committed to FIAF classes and we recommend FIAF to all our friends."
—Kyoko, à petits pas Mom

Just like Annabelle, over two hundred toddlers join the à petits pas program at FIAF every season. FIAF is now offering the program in Montclair, New Jersey!

À petits pas is a French language immersion program designed especially for toddlers by specialists in French early childhood education. Children dive into a world of discoveries! Not only does the program introduce your child to new sounds and to French culture but it deepens the parent/child bond, providing guides for continued learning and fun at home.

Research shows that the earlier the child starts learning a language, the better. Thanks to a toddler's intellectual suppleness, it is much easier for a young child to imitate, to learn, to store new knowledge, and to dive into another language and culture, without effort and with little or no accents because of their ability to reproduce even previously unknown sounds (C. Hagège, 1996). As early as 1962, Peal and Lambert proved that early French language acquisition helped children to gain intellectual superiority as a result of switching easily from one language system to another.

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What is a typical à petits pas class like?

With a focus on communication, à petits pas classes are designed so that your child will easily pick up French language and culture in a fun and interactive way.

Classes begin with free play during which children are encouraged to interact with their teacher and classmates. The instructor then introduces the theme of the day through a story, songs, marionettes, and other fun and captivating ways. Through arts-and-craft projects, the teacher introduces new vocabulary daily that is reinforced through games and movement (dance, etc.). Snack time is a moment to relax and for your child to learn how to express his or her likes or dislikes and to learn basic interactions in French such as how to accept or reject something that is offered, how to ask for something, and more!

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Age Groups & Class Info

Age 12–24 months
Group: 12–24 months
11-week program, 45 minutes class, once a week, eight kids maximum
1-term price: $315

A gentle introduction to the Frenchspeaking world, children engage in playful activities through songs, dance, stories, games, and more. Parents or caregivers encourage children to form and understand new sounds.

Age 2–5 years
Groups: 2–3 years, 3–4 years, and 4–5 years
11-week program, 90 minutes class, once a week, nine kids maximum
1-term price: $435

Placed in groups according to age, children learn new words and language structures, using them in fun, ageappropriate activities like arts and crafts, songs, dance, games, stories, and films. During snack time, toddlers practice lively routines in French demonstrating the French savoir vivre.

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à petits pas policies

Parent Participation and Responsibility
One parent or caregiver must attend class with their child(ren). Accompaniment is limited to one parent or caregiver only—no other adults or children may attend. Each parent or caregiver is responsible for the well-being of their child and is strongly encouraged to participate in all the class activities.

Code of Conduct
If a child becomes disruptive, FIAF asks that the parent or caregiver take him/her out of the class until he/she calms down in order to preserve a constructive learning environment.

Cell Phones
Cell phone use is not permitted in the à petits pas classrooms

Strollers
Strollers are not allowed in the classroom. A designated area will be provided for the parent or the caregiver to park the stroller.

Health
Please do not bring children to class when ill.

Makeup Classes
There are NO makeup classes provided for the à petits pas program.

Please also read additional FIAF Language Center general policies here.

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