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. À petits pas is a French language immersion program designed especially for toddlers by specialists in French early childhood education. At FIAF, 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.

Because an inviting and beautiful environment is important for learning, toddlers joining the à petits pas program will love the specially designed classroom space in FIAF's beautiful Upper East Side building in Manhattan.

What is a typical à petits pas class like?

With a focus on communication, FIAF's 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!

Age 12–24 months
Group: 12–24 months
11-week program offered each Fall, Winter, and Spring
45 minutes class, once a week, eight kids maximum

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
Bilingual Groups: 3–4 years and 4–5 years (for those who already speak English and French)
11-week program offered each Fall, Winter, and Spring
90 minutes class, once a week, nine kids maximum

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.

My child is 22 months old, for which age level should we register?
Your child should register for APP2.

I only have one babysitter for my two children, can she come with both of them?
No, because your babysitter has to be able to help the child she accompanies to the class.

Can I breastfeed my child in the classroom?
Yes, but we encourage you to find another location if possible. There may be private classrooms available.

My child is going to miss one class, can we have a makeup class?
There are no makeup classes for APP classes.

Do you have any place I can put my stroller?
You can put it on the sixth floor, in front of the elevator.

Can my child come with his babysitter and grandmother?
We encourage one caregiver per child.

My child is in APP1 and seems to be the oldest of the group, could we change his class?
Yes, we can look for another class where he will be with children his age depending on availability.

Can I register my child in a class that started already?
Yes, but we will not be able to prorate the fees.

Do your snacks at snack time contain nuts?
No, we are cautious of nut and other allergies.

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.