Tracing for Pre-writing
We have a range of printable resources to help students learn to trace. Tracing is an important pre-writing activity in the preschool, kindergarten and early school years to develop hand-eye coordination, pencil control, line directionality and fine motor skills for writing. Start with ‘big shapes’ and work through tracing patterns and finally to tracing letters.
Big Shape Tracing Worksheets
Why tracing?
Tracing helps transition little learners from scribbles to writing letters and words. After lots of 'big arm' activities like chalking on walls and painting on easels your students can begin more formal 'handwriting' by attempting to trace big clear shapes and then internal pattern lines.
Our Big Shape Tracing packets include big clear shapes to outline and some also include a variety of internal pattern lines for further extension and challenge.
Tips for tracing lessons:
ask students to trace in marker or crayon
once outlined the pictures can be shaded in pencil, watercolor or soft chalk pastel
give students support with verbal cues for direction - e.g. trace top to bottom, pencil up the top and trace down, down, down
model how to sit on a chair, hold a pencil and angle the paper for effective writing
Tracing Line Activity Cards
Laminate these cards and use with a dry erase marker to practice various pattern lines. These help with left-right directionality for reading and writing as well as penmanship skills in readiness for handwriting.
Tracing Letters
We have a range of printable learning resources for learning to trace letters.
