How to teach letter tracing with start dots and arrows
Tracing works best when a child starts every letter in the same place and moves in the same direction each time. That is what the green numbers and red arrows on our pages are for.
1. Start with the big model
Point to the green circle with the number 1. That is where the pencil goes down. Follow the red arrow with a finger first, then with the pencil.
2. One stroke at a time
Letters with more than one stroke have more numbers. Finish stroke 1, lift the pencil, then find number 2. Capital E, for example, has four strokes: the tall line, then the three lines going across.
3. Trace, then write alone
Each page has dotted rows to trace and empty rows at the bottom. Move to the empty rows once the dotted letters look steady.
4. Keep it short
Five to ten minutes a day is plenty for most preschoolers. Stop while it is still fun.
5. Follow the school
Our pages are checked against the published Zaner-Bloser manuscript stroke descriptions (we are not affiliated with Zaner-Bloser). Some schools teach slightly different shapes or orders. If your child's school teaches another way, follow the school.