We all know that foreign languages should be taught in the early years. But how early is too early? As part of James' activities for the summer, we enrolled him in the Petit Pierrot french lessons, held weekly at Parsons Green. Each week, a handful of toddlers gather at the Mission Hall to run around a large room, stomp their feet, and participate in an art lesson (sticking, colouring, pasting and painting) midway through. Songs and instructions are playfully conducted in French. But how much of this do the kids actually learn?
After attending a few of these lessons, my disappointing answer is: not much. If James is actually going to speak French, it is going to take much more than a few afternoons listening to French singing. These "classes," just like the gymnastic ones, or the football ones, or the rhyming ones, are simply excuses for the kids to have fun and to practice socialising.
In fact, the lunch that James routinely has before the French lesson is much more successful. We love The White Horse as the location for a midweek meal for babies and toddlers. Car seats are available, the staff is friendly, and there is a fantastic kids menu.
After attending a few of these lessons, my disappointing answer is: not much. If James is actually going to speak French, it is going to take much more than a few afternoons listening to French singing. These "classes," just like the gymnastic ones, or the football ones, or the rhyming ones, are simply excuses for the kids to have fun and to practice socialising.
In fact, the lunch that James routinely has before the French lesson is much more successful. We love The White Horse as the location for a midweek meal for babies and toddlers. Car seats are available, the staff is friendly, and there is a fantastic kids menu.
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