Children are good at adjusting to new environments and adopting new languages in general, but that is not always the case at an individual level. Some children struggle to learn a new language in a foreign environment, and may need more time and help than others. 

Imagine being dropped off at a place where everyone speaks an unfamiliar language you don’t understand, while you are already struggling to adjust to unfamiliar rules and a new culture. Instead of hoping your child will improve with time, help them familiarize themselves with daily French expressions.

According to statistics, most non-immigrants living in Quebec speak French, with around 44% being bilingual in French and English while about 52%  speak only French. 

But the numbers are quite different among immigrants. Only 56% can speak any French, with only 9% being bilingual in French and English. About 27% of immigrants have French as their mother tongue, while 38% have acquired French as a second language and another 35% of immigrants are still learning French, meaning they face a daily struggle to communicate. 

If you are planning to move to Quebec or any other French-speaking country, but you and your child are new to French and just beginning to learn, here are some useful phrases to help you get started. These are phrases that are likely to be used daily at your child’s daycare and can be practiced at home. 

Use the phrases with your child and repeat them until your child gets used to the sound and meaning. Helping your child to acquire frequently used French expressions will enable him or her to integrate into French daycare more easily. 

Daily French Expressions for daycare children

1. What’s your name? → Quel est ton nom?
2. How old are you?  →  Quel âge as-tu?
3. Your mom is here.  → Ta maman est là.
4. Your dad is here.  → Ton père est ici.
5. Wait.  → Attends.
6. Stop.  → Arrête.
7. Wait for me.  → Attends-moi.
8. Are you ready?  → Es-tu prêt?
9. Stand up.  → Lève-toi.
10. Put on your shoes.  → Met tes souliers.
11. Line up.  → Alignez-vous.
12. I want to go to the toilet.  → Je veux aller aux toilettes.
13. I have to go pee.  → Je dois aller faire pipi.
14. Put on your jacket  →Mets ta veste.
15. It’s snack time.  → C’est l’heure du goûter.
16. Sit down.  → Assieds-toi.
17. Sit on your chair.  → Assieds-toi sur ta chaise.
18. Wash your hands.  → Lave-toi les mains.
19. It’s nap time.  → C’est l’heure de la sieste / de faire dodo.
20. We’re going outside.  → Nous allons dehors.
21. Let’s go outside.  → Allons dehors.
22. Can you pass me (a pencil)?  → Peux-tu me passer (un crayon)?
23. We share toys. → Nous partageons des jouets.
24. Pick a book to read. → Choisis un livre à lire.
25. Bring your plate to the sink. → Apportez votre assiette dans l’évier.
26. Let’s lower your voice.  → On baisse la voix.
27. Thank you.  → Merci.
28. I need help.  → J’ai besoin d’aide.
29. Can you help me?  → Pouvez-vous m’aider?
30. Watch your step.  → Attention aux pieds.
31. Watch the stairs.  → Attention aux marches.
32. Let’s cross the street.  → Traversons la rue.
33. Follow the friend in front of you.  → Suivez l’ami devant vous.
34. Keep walking. → Continuez à marcher.
35. What happened? Are you alright? → Qu’est-ce qui est arrivé? Est-ce que tu vas bien?
36. Why are you crying?  → Pourquoi pleures-tu?
37. See you tomorrow.  → À demain.
38. Have a nice weekend.  → Bon week-end.
39. We don’t hit people.  → On ne frappe pas les gens.
40. Good job.  → Bon travail.
41. Where are your shoes/gloves/bag?  → Où sont tes chaussures/gants/ton sac?
42. Open the door.  → Ouvre la porte.
43. Close the door.  → Ferme la porte.
44. Watch your fingers. → Fais attention à tes doigts.
45. Are you ready to go home?  → Êtes-vous prêt à rentrer chez vous?
46. Are you sick?  → Es tu malade?
47. Did you get hurt?  → T’es tu fait mal?
48. Let’s put on a bandage.  → Mettons un pansement.
49. Did you fall down?  → Tu es tombé?
50. Are you sleepy?  → As-tu sommeil?
51. Are you thirsty?  → As-tu soif?
52. Give me some water, please. →Donnez-moi de l’eau, s’il vous plaît.
53. Water, please. → De l’eau, s’il vous plaît.
54. Wait for your turn.  → Attends ton tour.
55. Are you okay?  → Ça va?
56. Do you need something?  → As-tu besoin de quelque chose?
57. Hurry up.  → Dépêche-toi.
58. Listen.  → Ecoute.
59. Repeat after me.  → Répète.
60. What’s this?  → C’est quoi?
61. What’s that?  → Qu’est-ce que c’est?
62. What color is this?  → De quelle couleur est-ce?
63. What number is this?  → Quel numéro est-ce?
64. What letter is this?  → De quelle lettre s’agit-il?
65. Do you understand?  → Comprends tu?
66. Who knows the answer?  → Qui connaît la réponse?
67. Can you answer?  → Peux-tu répondre?
68. We’ll go inside now. → Nous allons entrer maintenant.
69. It’s time to go home. → Il est temps de rentrer à la maison.
70. Yes or no? → Oui ou non?
71. Can you say that again? →  Peux-tu répéter cela?
72. Good morning → Bon matin. / Bonjour.
73. Follow me. → Suis-moi / Suivez-moi
74. Can you wait here? → Peux-tu attendre ici?
75. Do you need help? → As-tu besoin d’aide?
76. Why did you do that?  →  Pourquoi fais-tu cela?
77. Where are you going?  → Où vas-tu?
78. Indoor voice, please. → On se calme, s’il te plais.
79. What’s your favourite toy? → Quel est ton jouet préféré?
80. Can I help you? → Puis-je vous aider?
81. It’s okay, honey. → Ça va chérie.
82. When is your birthday? → C’est quand ton anniversaire?
83. Be careful. → Fais attention.
84. We will leave soon. → Nous partirons bientôt.
85. What’re you making? → Qu’est-ce que tu fabriques?
86. What did you make? → Qu’as-tu fait?
87. What’re you drawing? → Qu’est-ce que tu dessines?
88. It’s hot. → C’est chaud.
89. It’s raining. → Il pleut.
90. It’s a sunny day. → Il fait beau.
91. It’s cold. → Il fait froid.
92. Hold my hand. → Tiens ma main.
93. Do you have a fever? → As-tu de la fièvre?
94. Oh, you have a fever. → Oh, tu as de la fièvre.
95. How’s your tummy? → Comment va ton ventre ?
96. We have to hurry. → Nous devons nous dépêcher.
97. Let’s get in the car. → Montons dans la voiture.
98. Are you tired? → Es-tu fatigué?
99. What did you do today? → Qu’as-tu fait aujourd’hui?
100. Did you have fun? → T’es-tu amusé?
101. Who’s your best friend? → Qui est ton meilleur ami?
102. Can you spell your name? → Peux-tu épeler ton nom?
103. Here it is. → Voici.
104. Give it to me, please. → Donne-le moi, s’il te plait.
105. Can you say (   ) in French? → Peux-tu dire ( ) en français?

French phrases for daycare survival Download