A1.1 – Unité 07 : La nourriture

French food vocabulary for children

Eating is a universal activity, and children are naturally curious about food. This unit, focused on French food vocabulary for children, introduces essential words and expressions that allow kids to talk about what they eat and drink. From pomme (apple) to pain (bread), and from eau (water) to jus (juice), children learn to name their favorite foods, express likes and dislikes, and even use polite phrases at the table. Parents will find this unit especially practical, as food vocabulary is part of everyday life and can be practiced easily at home.

What your child will learn in this unit

By the end of this unit, your child will be able to:

• Name common foods (fruit, bread, cheese, sweets).
• Talk about drinks (water, milk, juice, hot chocolate).
• Use J’aime / Je n’aime pas to express preferences.
• Ask politely for something (Je voudrais… s’il te plaît).
• Recognize and respond to polite words (merci, s’il te plaît).
• Count from 31 to 35.
• Use simple sentences to talk about meals (J’aime le pain / Je bois du lait).

These skills make language learning relevant to daily routines such as meals and snacks.

A playful and interactive approach

Every lesson in this unit is 30 minutes long and designed to keep children engaged. Instead of memorizing lists of food items, learners explore vocabulary through activities they enjoy:

• Games: matching food pictures with words, sorting healthy/unhealthy foods.
• Role-plays: ordering at an imaginary market or café.
• Listening practice: short dialogues about snacks and meals.
• Pronunciation focus: nasal sounds like [ɑ̃] in pain or [ɔ̃] in bonbon.
• Interactive tasks: choosing between “I like” and “I don’t like” with foods.

The unit also integrates polite phrases so children naturally say merci and s’il te plaît.

Mid-unit and final progress checks

Two checkpoints help measure progress:

• Lesson 6: A short quiz covering basic foods, drinks, and preferences.
• Lesson 13: A final test with listening, short speaking tasks, and simple written sentences (≥50% pass mark).

Both checks are playful and stress-free, ensuring children see assessments as games rather than exams.

Cultural connection

Food is central to French culture, and this unit gives children a taste of it. They discover typical French items like baguette or fromage and learn about the importance of polite expressions at the table. They also explore the idea of the French market (au marché), where people shop for fresh food. These cultural insights make vocabulary more meaningful and memorable.

Benefits for your child

• Practical vocabulary: Food words are easy to practice daily at home.
• Confidence: Children can say what they like or don’t like.
• Politeness: Kids learn useful expressions for real-life interactions.
• Interactive learning: Games and role-plays keep lessons playful.
• Cultural awareness: Discovering French eating habits and traditions.

A foundation for continued learning

French food vocabulary for children is more than just naming food. It teaches children how to communicate at meals, express likes, and interact politely. These are skills they can practice at home every day, making French learning part of family life. This unit also prepares them for future topics such as animals, clothing, and weather, where they will continue to expand vocabulary and grammar in context.

Parents can be confident that their child is not only memorizing but using language in meaningful, enjoyable ways.

Conclusion

This unit on French food vocabulary for children combines fun, practicality, and culture. Children name foods and drinks, say what they like, and use polite expressions naturally. Through role-plays, games, and simple reviews, they gain both confidence and joy in speaking French.

By the end of the unit, your child will be able to talk about food and drink in French with pride—an essential step toward everyday communication.