Not ready to write letters yet? Start with pre-writing

Your child is not ready to write letters yet: lines wobble, circles do not close, or the pencil grip is still a fist. Every letter is built from a few basic strokes, and children who master those first find letters much easier.

For: Parents and preschool teachers of children aged 3 to 5

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A cover page with the plan, then 20 worksheets in order (21 pages). Free, no sign-up.

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Not ready to write letters yet? Start with pre-writing: free printable worksheet pack

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Why it happens

Letters are made of lines, curves, slants and circles. A child who cannot draw a slanted line yet cannot make an A or a k.
Children develop strokes in a typical order: vertical and horizontal lines and circles come first, then crosses, slants and finally more complex shapes.
Hand strength and pencil control develop with practice, play and age.

What helps

Practise strokes in order: straight lines, circles, then slants and curves.
Always start at the same point (the green dot) and go in the same direction as in letters: top to bottom, left to right.
Use short crayons or broken chalk: they encourage a fingertip grip instead of a fist.
Play counts: playdough, tweezers, stickers and drawing build the same muscles.

The planstep by step.

1Before you start: the nine shapes
Copy the nine pre-writing shapes in order: | — O + □ / \ X △. Most children can copy all nine by about age 5.
Pre-Writing Shapes 1 of 9: Line downAges 2–5 Pre-Writing Shapes 2 of 9: Line acrossAges 2–5 Pre-Writing Shapes 3 of 9: CircleAges 2–5 Pre-Writing Shapes 4 of 9: CrossAges 2–5 Pre-Writing Shapes 5 of 9: SquareAges 2–5 Pre-Writing Shapes 6 of 9: Slanted line (/)Ages 2–5 Pre-Writing Shapes 7 of 9: Slanted line (\)Ages 2–5 Pre-Writing Shapes 8 of 9: XAges 2–5 Pre-Writing Shapes 9 of 9: TriangleAges 2–5
2Week 1: lines
Horizontal and vertical lines, from the green dot to the star.
Pre-Writing Worksheet: Horizontal linesPre-K Pre-Writing Worksheet: Vertical linesPre-K Pre-Writing Worksheet: CirclesPre-K
3Week 2: slants and curves
Slanted lines, hills, waves, zigzags and loops.
Pre-Writing Worksheet: Slanted linesPre-K Pre-Writing Worksheet: Curves (hills)Pre-K Pre-Writing Worksheet: Wavy linesPre-K Pre-Writing Worksheet: Zigzag linesPre-K Pre-Writing Worksheet: LoopsPre-K
4Week 3: first letters
The easiest capitals use only straight lines. Try L, then the straight line capitals.
Letter L tracing worksheet (Zaner-Bloser style)Zaner-Bloser style · Pre-K – Kindergarten Straight line capitals WorksheetZaner-Bloser style · Pre-K – Kindergarten Uppercase Alphabet Tracing Worksheet A–ZZaner-Bloser style · Pre-K – Kindergarten

Questions

Questions about pre-writing skills

Still have questions? Visit our Help Center or get in touch.

At what age can children start writing letters?

Most children are ready for letters around age 4 to 5, once they can copy a cross and a diagonal line. Before that, pre-writing strokes and play are the better practice.

What is the right pencil grip?

The goal is a tripod grip: the pencil held between thumb and index finger, resting on the middle finger. Short pencils and crayons make it easier to find.