“Hello, bonjour!”
We hear that salutation across Canada at government offices and border crossings — but only 18 percent of the population could respond in both English and French. This number has hardly increased since 2001. Outside Quebec, almost 61 percent of people who attended a French-language school could converse in both languages, as of 2021.
In a country where both French and English shape our national identity — we’ve been a bilingual nation since 1969, when the Official Languages Act was formally adopted — bilingualism opens doors to culture, connection, and opportunity. Canadian Parents for French (CPF) is on a mission to make it easier for parents to introduce French at any age — and despite the parents' concerns for their own French language abilities! Voilà — CPF's French Footprints program.
Founded in 1977, CPF is a grassroots organization, founded by parents for parents, advocating for French language learning opportunities from coast to coast. Heavily reliant on volunteers, the organization is research-focused, and has developed a wealth of resources for families, parents, and teachers.
The Benefits of Bilingualism
Bilingualism isn’t just a skill — it’s a superpower. There is consensus in recent scholarly literature that early multilingualism does not confuse or delay language development but actually provides several cognitive advantages. For instance, research has shown that bilingualism is associated with more effective controlled processing in children. In an article published in the International Journal of Multilingualism, B. Maneva explains that “bi/multilingual children develop a higher level of metalinguistic awareness ‘because of the constant decision-making regarding language-choice’ that they must make.”
Bilingual people tend to excel in tasks that require conflict management, and are particularly adept at seamlessly switching between tasks. Research also shows bilingual children often outperform their monolingual peers in tasks involving attention, memory, and problem-solving. All of this equates to more employment opportunities too. Being multilingual has been shown to open the door to more jobs, and also will likely land you more interviews as you hunt for work. Often known as more secure options, government jobs tend to require bilingualism (at least in Canada), and so knowing French as a second language could mean you’re never wondering where your next paycheque is coming from. Knowing a second language also shows an employer you’re willing to work hard at something that isn’t required for everyday life, enhancing your value to that employer through your soft skills like resiliency and determination.
The French Footprints Program
As a unilingual parent myself, the thought of encouraging my own child to speak French in addition to English is overwhelming. I went to English-only public school and until recently, now that my son is approaching school age, hadn’t given much thought to introducing him to French, much less putting him into French or French-immersion education. How could I possibly keep up with what he's learning when I hardly know “Je ne parle pas français?" But I do know that what matters most isn’t fluency at home: it’s support. When parents show encouragement and provide access to the right tools, children are motivated and confident in their learning.
Learning together can be a huge bonding opportunity. Not only are you showing your child it’s okay to start something new (and maybe not be the greatest at it!) but you’re also showing them that you value spending time with them engaged in an activity that keeps you off your phone — what a self-esteem boost! Kids are often better learners than adults, so they might be leaps and bounds better than you at picking up French as a second language. Make it a friendly competition to see who can master new vocabulary first!
The CPF podcast lets parents hear from language experts to help build a French-speaking support network, and how to use educational tools like music to ease bilingual learning. Plus, normalizing hearing and using French at home will increase everyone’s comfort level, so podcasts are a great way to jump into the fray. You can also play French radio stations or French children’s television as an accessible, low-energy way into bilingualism. Pop the CPF podcast on while you’re prepping dinner or on your drive to work so it’s not just “one more thing” you have to do each day.
The French Footprints Parent Resource Hub has all the tools you’ll need to introduce French to your little one through fun and engaging activities. One easy way to help both of you learn is to label your everyday items in French and swap to using the French word. Even if it’s just one word at a time, you’ll increase your vocabulary! You can use the CPF flashcards found in the parent kit (details below!) or sticky notes to label things like “lumière” (light) or “porte” (door).
The CPF blog, also found on the French Footprints parent resource hub, answers every single question you might have — from the best French books to stock baby’s library to supporting students with special needs in learning French as a second language. Plus, of course, the crucial “But I don’t speak French!” answer too!
There’s also the CPF Magazine, packed full of great articles including hearing from bilingual graduates, along with family-friendly activities to do together. I like to download the CPF e-magazine right to my phone to keep it handy for when my toddler is ready to learn.
Limited in stock (so quick, act fast!) is the French Footprints Parent Kit. This $25 kit with free shipping across Canada gives you the physical tools to make bilingual learning easier, including French vocabulary flashcards. Head to the parent resource hub to order your kit and start learning in your home. Or, help spread the word to your child’s school or daycare and they’ll send a kit to you for free.
You don’t need to be fluent in French to raise a bilingual child—you just need the right tools and support.
Learning French opens doors to connection, culture, and confidence — and you don’t have to
navigate that journey alone. Canadian Parents for French offers a welcoming community of
families and educators supporting one another in raising bilingual kids. Join the movement —
membership is free! Gain access to practical resources, valuable information, and a nationwide
network that celebrates French learning at every stage. Join us today!
