What children can learn from a French song
- Toddlers and preschoolers pick up greetings, colors, numbers and animal words: bonjour, rouge, un deux trois, le chat.
- School children can learn short phrases (je m'appelle..., j'aime...) and start to notice le and la.
- Bilingual families can use an all-French song to keep French in daily life.
Two ways to make it
- A bilingual song. Choose English as the language and list the French words in the details: "teach bonjour, merci, au revoir; sing each French word twice, then the English".
- A song all in French. Choose French in the form. The lyrics are written as a French children's song.
Songs can also be sung in Spanish, German, Portuguese or Italian. See Spanish songs for kids.
What to type in the form
- Five to eight words, each with its meaning.
- The article with each noun: la pomme, le chien. Children who learn the word with its article remember whether it is le or la.
- Which French: some words differ between France and Quebec. Breakfast is petit-déjeuner in France and déjeuner in Quebec. Say which you use.
- A setting and actions that show the meaning.
Keep it to five to eight words for young children. More than that blurs together; make a series instead.
Honest notes on pronunciation and accuracy
The music model sings French, but it may stress some words oddly or put weight on a syllable a French speaker would not, and it can blur sounds that link between words. Listen to each of the up to 3 sung versions and keep the clearest. Read the lyrics before the song is made; if you are not a French speaker, ask one to check them. Accents in the spelling (é, è, ç) matter on the lyric sheet, so check those too.
How to use it
Play it every day for a week or two. Show the real thing or a picture for each word. Use the words outside the song: bonjour at breakfast, merci at dinner. After a few days, pause before a French word and let your child say it. When a song is well known, make the next one with new words and a few old ones. Language teachers can see songs for language teachers.
Ideas for a French song series
- Greetings: bonjour, salut, au revoir, à bientôt.
- Colors: rouge, bleu, jaune, vert, with things of each color.
- Numbers: un to dix, with a clap per number.
- Family: maman, papa, mon frère, ma sœur, mamie, papi.
- Food at the table: le pain, l'eau, la pomme, le fromage.
One topic per song, and a few old words carried into each new one, keeps learning steady.
Example lyrics
Made with Still Morning for a made-up class, from these details: "An English song teaching French greetings and manners to four-year-olds: bonjour (hello), au revoir (goodbye), merci (thank you), s'il te plaît (please), ça va (how are you). Each French phrase twice, then the English. Wave for bonjour and au revoir.". Lyrics as the writer drafted them, before any edits.
[Verse 1] When the sun comes up to play We can start a happy day Wave your hand and sing along This is how we say hello Bonjour, bonjour That means hello [Chorus] Bonjour, bonjour, wave hello Au revoir, au revoir, wave goodbye Merci, merci, thank you so much S’il te plaît, s’il te plaît, please [Verse 2] When it’s time to go away We can wave and softly say Au revoir, au revoir That means goodbye Wave your hand up in the sky [Chorus] Bonjour, bonjour, wave hello Au revoir, au revoir, wave goodbye Merci, merci, thank you so much S’il te plaît, s’il te plaît, please [Bridge] Ça va, ça va That means how are you Ça va, ça va I feel happy too [Chorus] Bonjour, bonjour, wave hello Au revoir, au revoir, wave goodbye Merci, merci, thank you so much S’il te plaît, s’il te plaît, please
What it cannot do
It is not a French course and it will not correct pronunciation. The singer may stress a French word differently from a native speaker, so listen to each version. You cannot pick a regional accent, only a female or male voice.
Questions parents ask
Can the song mix English and French?
Yes. Choose English and list the French words with their meanings, or choose French and ask for a few English words for meaning.
Will the French sound natural?
Mostly, but the music model sometimes stresses a syllable oddly. Make another version if a word sounds wrong, and ask a French speaker to check the lyrics.
Can I make a French song with my child's name?
Yes. Add the first name. If it is said the French way, write how it sounds in the pronunciation box.
What is a good first French song topic?
Greetings, colors, numbers one to ten or animals. Short words with clear pictures work best.
Can I use it in my French class?
Yes, in a classroom or nursery and on your own channels. You cannot resell the files.
Can the song be in Canadian French?
You can ask for Quebec words and phrases in the details. You cannot pick a regional accent for the singer.
Can it teach le and la?
Yes. Ask for every noun with its article, such as la pomme and le chat, and the lyrics will keep them together.
Updated 2026-10-17. Made with AI. The words come from an AI writer working from your details, and you approve them. The music and the voice come from an AI music model (not a human singer).