French Words for Kids app review: a playful way to learn basic French

Introduction

If you’re planning a holiday to a French-speaking country with your kids, and you want them to be able to communicate and understand the basics of the language, it’s pretty difficult to find an app to help them with this. French Words for Kids by L’Escapadou is the answer to your demand. This app is designed specifically for kids and uses a very interesting method to teach them to understand and write words in French.

To be very clear, this French for kids app needs your kid to be able to read and understand letters, otherwise this app is not for them.

Different Lessons and Words

The app has three different word categories on offer. These lessons only focus on just words, so your children will not learn to speak French using this app. It just expands their vocabulary. The app works as follows: the user is shown a picture, and a French lady will call out the word. Your child then needs to write it by dragging letters from the alphabet to their designated place. This includes letters with accents on it. The lady will make the sound of the letter when it is tapped, helping your kid with the assignment. When your child answers correctly an interactive celebratory animation will start and will keep your kids entertained until it’s ready for the next word. In this aspect, I think this one of the best French apps for kids.

Making it Easier for Your Children

By tapping the flag of the United States in the top of the app, you can have the word pronounced in English. This is especially handy to teach your kids what the words they’re writing exactly mean. In the top corner, you can ask for the solution, which is particularly handy the first few times they use the app. You can also rearrange the letters to mimic an AZERTY keyboard (which is used in France) or a QWERTY keyboard (used in most other countries). 

There are a host of audio options that can add difficulty to the exercises for your kids, or just make a parent’s life a bit quieter. You can also study particular sounds, sort words in themes, and play around with a movable alphabet.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Good practice for kids going on holiday in a French speaking country
• Over 200 words to practice
• English and French spoken
• Completely free and no ads!

Cons

• Your children must be able to read and understand letters

Conclusion

French Words for Kids is a great way to introduce the French language to children in the pre-teen years. Your kids need to know how to read and write, and it is suggested to have a parent with them when they play with this app. The app is well designed and has some fun interaction as a reward for getting a word right.

The app is compatible for both iPad and iPhone and is just under 25 MB in size.