Pre-Writing Tracing Lines

Print one or two rows at a time. Put the finger on the green dot, say go, and trace the bold model, then use a crayon or fat pencil on the dashed repeats. Five minutes is plenty. Preschool teachers can run it in a group, with each child on a different row. Parents can follow it with play dough ropes or chalk on the sidewalk. Praise the direction of the stroke, not how neat it looks.

These seven movements are the strokes that every letter is made from. Vertical lines lead to l and i, horizontals to t and e, diagonals to v and x, and curves and loops to a, c and o. Crossing the middle of the page with a straight line is also an early eye and hand skill. Children get stuck on zigzags and loops. Once loops are smooth, e and l become approachable.

Pattern has two choices, Lines and curves or Shapes, so pick Lines and curves first. Work through the rows in order, from the easiest straight line to the loops. If a child grips the crayon in a fist or presses hard, stay on one row for several days. Chalk or a finger in sand makes a good break from paper.

What age should a child start pre-writing lines?

Around age three, when they can hold a crayon and scribble on purpose. Start with straight lines and move on slowly. Pace matters more than age, so go by what the child can do.

Why is there a green dot on each stroke?

The dot marks the starting point, so the child learns to begin at the top and move left to right, the same direction used for letters. It is a habit to build before any letter appears.

Which row is hardest for most children?

Loops and zigzags, since they need a change of direction without stopping. If a child struggles, practice waves and bumps first, then return to loops in a few days.