Free Preschool Alphabet Worksheets

Tips for Teaching Writing

1. Demonstrate correct letter formation

It is important to teach children the correct letter formation from when they first start writing.

To assist you with this, a letter with numbered arrows showing where to start and where to finish each letter is provided, followed by grey letters that can be traced and then a blank line on which the child must copy the correct letter forms.

Research shows that if you first "say" the correct letter formation while demonstating it for the child/ren, that they learn their letters more easily. Then let them do the same, to ensure multi-sensory learning.

For example, demonstrate the letter 'a' and say: "Around, up and down." Practice in the air a few times, then with a finger on paper (or sandpaper) and finally with a pencil on paper.

There are 26 letters in this set of free preschool alphabet worksheets, but they are not in alphabetical order. Rather, I have arranged them in groups of similar letter forms. eg. o, c, e are similar, while r, n and m are similar.

You can rearrange them to suit yourself.

A blank lined page is also provided which can be used for any additional writing practice that your child/ren need.

2. Oversee writing

Oversee your children's handwriting practice sessions. Don't let bad habits develop that will take time to unlearn!

3. Keep lessons short

Do not overwhelm your child/ren with too much copywork or handwriting at one time. Handwriting practice sessions should be kept short, but you should require your child's best efforts at each sitting.

With young children, it is better that they produce 3 very neat letters than complete a whole row that are untidily written.

4. Don't start too young

Before you begin, you should read the article Don't Start Too Early on the Emergent or Beginners' Alphabet Worksheets page of this site.

5. Teaching left-handers

Click here for tips on Writing with the Left Hand . There are some significant differences between writing with the right and left hands and so lefties need to be taught correctly, before they develop bad writing habits!

Coloring & Writing Left-handed

This article explains how to teach left-handed children to color and write correctly from early on to avoid having to correct bad writing habits later.