Research shows that infants and babies are capable of discriminating sounds of speech and have an innate ability to learn languages.

Why should your child learn a second language at an early age?

• To enrich and enhance your child’s intellectual development
• To nurture your child’s ability to be open-minded and sensitive to other cultures
• To foster good listening skills

Why choose à petits pas for your child?

• à petits pas introduces your child to new sounds and to French culture
• à petits pas encourages parents to share in this experience, which deepens the parent/child bond
• à petits pas guides parents to continue the learning experience at home
• à petits pas teachers are specially trained to teach the French language to young children

Why choose the French Institute Alliance Française?

• à petits pas gives your child access to the Haskell Library, with more than 2,000 children’s books, and storytime and film programs in French for kids
• à petits pas is held in a newly renovated building with brightly colored classrooms specifically designed and decorated for kids
• à petits pas comes to you from FIAF, with its experience of teaching French and presenting cultural events in New York for more than 100 years

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Courses are divided into 4 different age groups. Each group will be limited to 9 children.

Age 12– 24 months (with a parent or caregiver)

With each step into this new world, your child will be fascinated by delightful activities for the ears and eyes. You or your caregiver gently encourages your child to form new sounds.

Your child’s interest is held by the group’s mascot, an adorable puppet. Joyful dialogues involve your child in the puppet’s activities, including greetings, songs, dances, stories, games, and more.

Age 2 – 5 years (with a parent or caregiver)

Your child will be placed into groups according to age: 2-3 years, 3-4 years, 4-5 years.

Step-by-step, your child acquires new words and language structures, and reuses them in a variety of interesting age-appropriate activities.

Various arts & crafts projects give your child the chance to practice French and reinforce vocabulary.

Fluency & confidence improve through fun activities such as songs, dances, games, stories, and films.

During snack time, toddlers practice lively routines in French that demonstrate the French savoir vivre.

In addition, we now offer NEW à petits pas classes for bilingual toddlers ages 3-4 and 4-5.

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The French Institute Alliance Française is proud to introduce à petits pas: French for Toddlers, a new total-immersion French language program designed specifically for toddlers, under the direction of Mrs. Guitty Roustai.

Mrs. Roustai holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Development from the French Ministry of Education and has worldwide experience teaching young children.

In New York, Mrs. Roustai has taught at Lyceum Kennedy, the Fleming School, and the Dalton School.

Mrs. Roustai is the founder of La Croisette French Language Center, which for the past 14 years has provided an afterschool French program for toddlers, consultant services for establishing French programs in public and private schools, and a teacher training program.

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Parent participation and responsibility:

One parent or caregiver must attend class with their child(ren).

Each parent or caregiver is responsible for the well-being of their child.

Parents or caregivers are strongly encouraged to participate in the learning experience through the class activities.

Code of conduct:

If your child becomes disruptive, we ask that you take him/her out of the class until he/she calms down in order to preserve a constructive learning environment.

Strollers:

Strollers are not allowed in the classroom. A designated area will be provided for you to park your stroller.

Health:

We ask that you please do not bring your child to class if he/she is ill.

Please also check the standard Language Center policies.

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