What about the children? Before attending their first session, parents explain to their children that they will be spoken to, almost exclusively, in French. The children are assured that they are welcome to reply in any language they chose. During the lunchtime period we gently encourage everyone to try to speak in French. This has worked out pretty well since, by now, everyone has learned "encore, s'il vous plait."

The first three children that attended had already been exposed to French as a second language in their own home. Although they understood French, in the beginning they only spoke English here at the daycare. Now that seven months have passed they communicate together (and with my three year old) mostly in French. One of the little girls, who I'll call Margeaux, got into the habit of speaking French here, but was a little stubborn about speaking French when her mommy prompted her to at home. One night, after having given up the late-night bottle habit, Margeaux decided she could use a nice warm bottle of milk. Her mother explained that she'd have to wait until morning. She paused for a moment, then pleaded in French "Maman, est ce que je peut avoir un bibron s'il te plait?" Needless to say...she got her bottle.
There are a couple of newer toddlers who understand French intuitively because of expressive facial gestures, or the simple activity we may be engaged in. One child nods enthusiastically to show she has understood something. Another one will speak English to some children and French to others. For another it's obvious he finds himself "accidentally" responding in French when he means to respond in English.
Sometimes the children surprise me as was the case with a little boy I'll call Loic. Expressing himself in French, Loic told me he wanted "sneeze": "Je voudrais atchoum", but he never sneezed. It was surprising because his grammar is advanced enough that he should have said "I want to sneeze" "Je voudrais faire atchoum" (which is actually the sound of a sneeze). When Loic's mother came to pick him up he said he wanted sneeze again. I informed his mother that he kept saying that but never actually sneezed. It turns out Loic had brought some French children's music to share that morning and unbeknownst to me the title of the CD was "Atchoum". So he had not backtracked on his French grammar after all!

Because most of the toddlers may go on to receive a formal education in French, attending a French language daycare is just an introductory step. Although it's extremely gratifying to hear a child express their first French words what really matters is that a foundation is being laid in their minds. Some children are more vocal than others, but they are ALL being introduced to the joyful life-long journey of learning.

To quote one mother who's little girl attends the daycare: "We intend to embrace this beautiful culture for the long term so she can just relax, take her time, and have fun." ...and she does!

Yours truly,