moyenne section
In French, junior kindergarten is moyenne section.
moyenne section refers to the year of schooling for children typically aged four to five, which precedes the final year of kindergarten. In a school context, people often add de maternelle to specify that they are talking about the kindergarten level.
Which one should you use?
The term moyenne section refers to the second year of kindergarten, whereas petite section refers to the first year (the year for three-year-olds).
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun section is feminine, so the definite article used is la.
Did you know?
- While moyenne section describes the grade, French parents often simply refer to the school as la maternelle, a term derived from the word for 'mother'.
- If you are describing the school year in France, you might hear people refer to the 'cycles' of learning. The moyenne section is part of a specific pedagogical cycle that dictates how subjects are introduced to children.
- In some French-speaking parts of Canada, such as Quebec, you might hear the term 'prématernelle' to describe the transitional year before formal schooling starts.
Examples in context
- Il est en moyenne section cette année.He is in junior kindergarten this year.
- Ma fille commence la moyenne section demain.My daughter starts junior kindergarten tomorrow.
- La moyenne section est très amusante pour les enfants.Junior kindergarten is very fun for children.
Example conversation
Two parents are chatting at a school gate.
- ChloéLucas, ton fils est en quelle classe ?Lucas, what grade is your son in?
- LucasIl est en moyenne section, Chloé.He is in junior kindergarten, Chloé.
- ChloéC'est super, il doit bien s'amuser !That's great, he must be having a lot of fun!
- LucasOui, il adore son école.Yes, he loves his school.
