Writing Strokes Chart
These are the strokes that make every letter. Start at the green dot and follow the arrow!
Need more than one? Tap + for extra copies (up to 10).
How to do it
- Find the green dot.
- Follow the line to the arrow.
- Say the stroke's name, like "down" or "across."
Teaching tip
Draw each stroke in the air together before using a crayon.
About this chart
The six strokes that make every letter, with start dots and arrows.
What kids practice
Every letter is made from a few simple strokes: down, across, circles, slants, curves and zigzags. Practicing these big strokes builds the hand control kids need before letters feel easy.
Watch for
- Starting at the bottom instead of the top.
- Gripping the crayon in a fist. Show how to pinch it with the thumb and first finger.
- Going too fast and skipping off the dotted line. Slow and steady wins.
It's free to print, as many copies as you need. See the full pre-writing strokes and tracing guide for kindergarten.
More sheets in this set
2. Help Them Get ThereDotted paths from an animal to its treat, like a bee to a flower. Paths are straight, wavy, zigzag, hills, steps or loopy. More has the trickiest paths.
3. Finish the PictureTwo scenes to finish by tracing, like rain from a cloud, a fence, waves, balloon strings, grass or a kite string.
4. Big Stroke Warm-upsRows of big strokes to trace, like down lines, circles, crosses and X marks.
5. Picture MazesMazes from an animal to its treat, like a cat to a fish. Fewer mazes are small and wide open, More mazes are bigger.