Les premiers mots
Body parts in French for toddlers, with a song to point along to
The first body parts to name in French are la tête (head), le nez (nose), la bouche (mouth), les yeux (eyes), les mains (hands) and les pieds (feet). Point to each one as you say it. Bath time is the easiest place to start.
Twenty body parts
| French | English | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| la tête | the head | Say it la TET |
| les cheveux | the hair | Say it lay shuh-VUH |
| les yeux | the eyesOne eye is un œil. Two are les yeux. | Say it lay ZYUH |
| le nez | the nose | Say it luh NAY |
| la bouche | the mouth | Say it la BOOSH |
| les oreilles | the ears | Say it lay zo-RAY |
| les dents | the teeth | Say it lay DAHN |
| les joues | the cheeks | Say it lay ZHOO |
| le menton | the chin | Say it luh mahn-TON |
| le cou | the neck | Say it luh KOO |
| les épaules | the shoulders | Say it lay zay-POHL |
| les bras | the arms | Say it lay BRA |
| les mains | the hands | Say it lay MAN |
| les doigts | the fingers | Say it lay DWA |
| le ventre | the tummy | Say it luh VAHN-truh |
| le dos | the back | Say it luh DOH |
| les jambes | the legs | Say it lay ZHAHMB |
| les genoux | the knees | Say it lay zhuh-NOO |
| les pieds | the feet | Say it lay PYAY |
| les orteils | the toesMost parents say les doigts de pied, foot fingers: lay dwa duh PYAY. | Say it lay zor-TAY |
Five bath-time phrases
- On lave les mains. Let's wash your hands. Say it on LAV lay MAN
- Et les pieds ! And your feet! Say it ay lay PYAY
- Où est ton nez ? Where's your nose? Say it oo ay ton NAY
- Le voilà ! There it is! Say it luh vwa-LA
- Tête, épaules, genoux, pieds. Head, shoulders, knees, feet. Say it TET, ay-POHL, zhuh-NOO, PYAY Sing it to the tune you already know.
The song
Sing the four words to the tune of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, touching each one as you go: tête, épaules, genoux, pieds. French sings feet, pieds, where English has toes, and the tune still fits. Speed up each time. Somebody will fall over; that’s part of the song.
Alouette names body parts too
Alouette works through a bird’s head, beak, eyes and neck, one verse at a time. Swap in your child’s body parts and point as you sing.
One thing to do tonight
In the bath, wash one part at a time and name it: les mains, les pieds, le ventre. Three words, one bath.
Free bedtime script
Bath first, then bed
Name the toes in the bath, then the Le Dodo script takes you from the towel to the light switch.
Ten bedtime phrases, each with a say-it guide, on one page for the bedroom door.
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Download it now (PDF)Questions parents ask
How do you say head, shoulders, knees and toes in French?
Tête, épaules, genoux et pieds. The French version sings feet, pieds, where English has toes. Toes are les orteils, though most parents say les doigts de pied.
What is the French word for tummy?
Le ventre, said luh VAHN-truh.
Why is it un œil but les yeux?
It's one of French's oddities: one eye is un œil, two are les yeux. Say both, and your child will sort them out the way English children sort out mouse and mice.
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Updated 16 October 2026