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Pre-Writing Practice Worksheets

Before letters come strokes. These pattern worksheets build the pencil control every writer needs: lines and diagonals, waves, zigzags, loops, coils and cups, shapes to trace, wide roads to stay inside, and copy pages with no dashes at all. Each row starts with a solid example and a green starting dot.

Ages 3-5

Updated July 2026

Curated by Poppy Fox

Vertical Lines pre-writing practice worksheet with dashed patterns to trace

Vertical Lines

Straight up-and-down strokes, the very first pencil pattern.

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Horizontal Lines pre-writing practice worksheet with dashed patterns to trace

Horizontal Lines

Left-to-right strokes that build reading direction.

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Diagonal Lines pre-writing practice worksheet with dashed patterns to trace

Diagonal Lines

Slanted strokes used in letters like A, V and W.

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Zigzag pre-writing practice worksheet with dashed patterns to trace

Zigzag

Sharp direction changes for pencil control.

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Waves pre-writing practice worksheet with dashed patterns to trace

Waves

Smooth curves, preparation for letters like u, m and n.

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Loops pre-writing practice worksheet with dashed patterns to trace

Loops

Continuous loops that prepare cursive strokes.

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Circles pre-writing practice worksheet with dashed patterns to trace

Circles

Round shapes for letters like o, a and d.

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Semicircles pre-writing practice worksheet with dashed patterns to trace

Semicircles

Half-curves used in letters like c, e and s.

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Bumps pre-writing practice worksheet, a solid example followed by dashed bumps patterns to trace

Bumps

Rounded up-bumps in a row, the m and n hand movement, starting on the green dot.

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Arches pre-writing practice worksheet, a solid example followed by dashed arches patterns to trace

Arches

Tall rainbow arches to trace, building the smooth top curves letters need.

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Steps pre-writing practice worksheet, a solid example followed by dashed stairs patterns to trace

Steps

Square castle-top steps, sharp up-and-down corners for steady pencil control.

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Canes pre-writing practice worksheet, a solid example followed by dashed cane patterns to trace

Canes

Candy-cane hooks that curve over at the top, the same turn as a J.

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Coils pre-writing practice worksheet, a solid example followed by dashed spiral patterns to trace

Coils

Continuous open coils, the rolling movement that prepares joined-up writing.

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Crosses pre-writing practice worksheet, a solid example followed by dashed crosses patterns to trace

Crosses

Plus-sign crosses, two straight strokes that meet neatly in the middle.

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Mixed pre-writing worksheet with four different rows: vertical lines, horizontal lines, diagonals and zigzags, each with an example and dashed practice

Mixed patterns 1

Four rows on one page: vertical lines, horizontal lines, diagonals and zigzags, a mixed pencil-control workout.

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Mixed pre-writing worksheet with four different rows: waves, loops, circles and semicircles, each with an example and dashed practice

Mixed patterns 2

Four rows on one page: waves, loops, circles and semicircles, a mixed pencil-control workout.

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Mixed pre-writing worksheet with four different rows: bumps, arches, canes and coils, each with an example and dashed practice

Mixed patterns 3

Four rows on one page: bumps, arches, canes and coils, a mixed pencil-control workout.

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Mixed pre-writing worksheet with four different rows: vertical lines, waves, circles and crosses, each with an example and dashed practice

Mixed patterns 4

Four rows on one page: vertical lines, waves, circles and crosses, a mixed pencil-control workout.

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Mixed pre-writing worksheet with four different rows: zigzags, loops, steps and bumps, each with an example and dashed practice

Mixed patterns 5

Four rows on one page: zigzags, loops, steps and bumps, a mixed pencil-control workout.

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Mixed pre-writing worksheet with four different rows: diagonals, semicircles, arches and coils, each with an example and dashed practice

Mixed patterns 6

Four rows on one page: diagonals, semicircles, arches and coils, a mixed pencil-control workout.

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Mixed pre-writing worksheet with four different rows: horizontal lines, waves, canes and crosses, each with an example and dashed practice

Mixed patterns 7

Four rows on one page: horizontal lines, waves, canes and crosses, a mixed pencil-control workout.

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Mixed pre-writing worksheet with four different rows: circles, bumps, arches and loops, each with an example and dashed practice

Mixed patterns 8

Four rows on one page: circles, bumps, arches and loops, a mixed pencil-control workout.

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Mixed pre-writing worksheet with four different rows: vertical lines, diagonals, steps and zigzags, each with an example and dashed practice

Mixed patterns 9

Four rows on one page: vertical lines, diagonals, steps and zigzags, a mixed pencil-control workout.

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Mixed pre-writing worksheet with four different rows: waves, coils, semicircles and canes, each with an example and dashed practice

Mixed patterns 10

Four rows on one page: waves, coils, semicircles and canes, a mixed pencil-control workout.

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cups pre-writing practice worksheet with a solid example and dashed patterns to trace

Cups

Curves that open upwards like little cups, the shape hiding inside u, v and w.

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figure eights pre-writing practice worksheet with a solid example and dashed patterns to trace

Figure Eights

Continuous figure eights, the pattern therapists use to get a wrist crossing the midline.

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mountain peaks pre-writing practice worksheet with a solid example and dashed patterns to trace

Mountain Peaks

Separate pointed peaks: up the slope, down the other side, pencil off, start again.

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comb teeth pre-writing practice worksheet with a solid example and dashed patterns to trace

Comb Teeth

A long line across the top with teeth dropping from it, all the same length.

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ladders pre-writing practice worksheet with a solid example and dashed patterns to trace

Ladders

Two long rails with rungs between them, a stroke that needs both hands to cooperate.

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flags pre-writing practice worksheet with a solid example and dashed patterns to trace

Flags

A pole straight up and a triangle folded back onto it, two strokes without lifting off.

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crossed diagonals pre-writing practice worksheet with a solid example and dashed patterns to trace

Crossed Diagonals

Pairs of slanting lines crossing in the middle, the exact movement letter x asks for.

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diagonals the other way pre-writing practice worksheet with a solid example and dashed patterns to trace

Diagonals the Other Way

Slanted lines leaning the opposite way to the usual diagonal sheet, harder for most right hands.

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raindrops pre-writing practice worksheet with a solid example and dashed patterns to trace

Raindrops

Teardrops that start with a point at the top and swell as they fall.

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zippers pre-writing practice worksheet with a solid example and dashed patterns to trace

Zippers

A straight line with short ticks branching off it alternately above and below.

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chain links pre-writing practice worksheet with a solid example and dashed patterns to trace

Chain Links

Linked ovals in a row, each one closing before the next one starts.

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backward curls pre-writing practice worksheet with a solid example and dashed patterns to trace

Backward Curls

Deep c curls that travel right to left, the direction a and o are really drawn in.

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sun rays pre-writing practice worksheet with a solid example and dashed patterns to trace

Sun Rays

Strokes shooting up from one baseline at changing angles, so no two are alike.

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steps going down pre-writing practice worksheet with a solid example and dashed patterns to trace

Steps Going Down

A staircase descending from left to right, alternating across and down without stopping.

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Shape tracing worksheet for the circle, one large dashed outline plus fifteen smaller ones to trace

Trace a Circle

One unbroken round line that has to arrive back exactly where it set off.

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Shape tracing worksheet for the square, one large dashed outline plus fifteen smaller ones to trace

Trace a Square

Four equal sides and four corners where the pencil stops dead before it turns.

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Shape tracing worksheet for the triangle, one large dashed outline plus fifteen smaller ones to trace

Trace a Triangle

Three sides, two of them slanted, meeting at a point right at the top.

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Shape tracing worksheet for the rectangle, one large dashed outline plus fifteen smaller ones to trace

Trace a Rectangle

Long sides and short sides in the same shape, so the hand has to change how far it travels.

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Shape tracing worksheet for the oval, one large dashed outline plus fifteen smaller ones to trace

Trace an Oval

A circle stretched wide, the shape that turns up inside the letter o when it leans.

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Shape tracing worksheet for the diamond, one large dashed outline plus fifteen smaller ones to trace

Trace a Diamond

Four slanted sides and points at the top and bottom, the hardest of the straight-sided shapes.

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Shape tracing worksheet for the pentagon, one large dashed outline plus fifteen smaller ones to trace

Trace a Pentagon

Five equal sides, so the pencil turns five times by the same amount.

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Shape tracing worksheet for the hexagon, one large dashed outline plus fifteen smaller ones to trace

Trace a Hexagon

Six sides that tile together, the shape of a honeycomb cell.

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Shape tracing worksheet for the star, one large dashed outline plus fifteen smaller ones to trace

Trace a Star

Ten changes of direction in one outline, in and out, in and out, all the way round.

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Shape tracing worksheet for the heart, one large dashed outline plus fifteen smaller ones to trace

Trace a Heart

Two curves swelling out at the top and a single point where they meet below.

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Shape tracing worksheet for the crescent, one large dashed outline plus fifteen smaller ones to trace

Trace a Crescent Moon

Two arcs that bend the same way, one deeper than the other, leaving a thin sliver.

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Shape tracing worksheet for the arrow, one large dashed outline plus fifteen smaller ones to trace

Trace an Arrow

A straight shaft and a head that steps out and back in, seven corners in all.

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Shape tracing worksheet for the cross, one large dashed outline plus fifteen smaller ones to trace

Trace a Cross

Twelve corners, every one of them a right angle, and no curve anywhere.

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Shape tracing worksheet for the cloud, one large dashed outline plus fifteen smaller ones to trace

Trace a Cloud

Three bumps along the top and a flat line underneath, curves and a straight in one outline.

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straight road pencil control worksheet, four wide roads to draw along without touching the edges

Straight Road

Keep the pencil inside a straight road from one side of the page to the other without touching the edges.

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wavy road pencil control worksheet, four wide roads to draw along without touching the edges

Wavy Road

A road that rolls up and down, so the wrist has to keep turning while the hand moves along.

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zigzag road pencil control worksheet, four wide roads to draw along without touching the edges

Zigzag Road

Sharp corners in a wide road: slow down at each turn or the pencil runs off the edge.

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bumpy road pencil control worksheet, four wide roads to draw along without touching the edges

Bumpy Road

A road made of joined humps, the same shape the letters m and n travel over.

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looping road pencil control worksheet, four wide roads to draw along without touching the edges

Looping Road

The road loops back on itself, so the pencil crosses its own path again and again.

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coiled road pencil control worksheet, four wide roads to draw along without touching the edges

Coiled Road

A coiling road that never straightens out, the longest continuous run on any of these pages.

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stepped road pencil control worksheet, four wide roads to draw along without touching the edges

Stepped Road

Right angles only: the road goes up, across, down and across in square corners.

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mountain road pencil control worksheet, four wide roads to draw along without touching the edges

Mountain Road

Up one slope and down the next in a wide band, with a point at every summit.

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dipping road pencil control worksheet, four wide roads to draw along without touching the edges

Dipping Road

The road dips into a series of hollows, the mirror image of the bumpy one.

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figure eight track pencil control worksheet, four wide roads to draw along without touching the edges

Figure Eight Track

A closed track shaped like a figure eight, so the pencil has to cross the middle each lap.

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copy the vertical lines pre-writing worksheet, a solid model row and three empty rows to copy it into

Copy the Vertical Lines

No dashes to follow: the model is at the top and the rows below are empty.

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copy the diagonals pre-writing worksheet, a solid model row and three empty rows to copy it into

Copy the Diagonals

Slanted strokes copied from a model, with only the first one given as a reminder.

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copy the zigzag pre-writing worksheet, a solid model row and three empty rows to copy it into

Copy the Zigzag

Reproducing a zigzag without a dashed guide means judging every corner by eye.

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copy the waves pre-writing worksheet, a solid model row and three empty rows to copy it into

Copy the Waves

Waves drawn freehand, where keeping every crest the same height is the whole challenge.

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copy the loops pre-writing worksheet, a solid model row and three empty rows to copy it into

Copy the Loops

Freehand loops, the last stop before joined writing asks for the same movement.

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copy the circles pre-writing worksheet, a solid model row and three empty rows to copy it into

Copy the Circles

Circles with nothing to trace over, so size and roundness are both up to the child.

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copy the arches pre-writing worksheet, a solid model row and three empty rows to copy it into

Copy the Arches

Rainbow arcs copied by eye, each one starting and finishing on the same invisible line.

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copy the coils pre-writing worksheet, a solid model row and three empty rows to copy it into

Copy the Coils

A coil copied freehand, the hardest of these pages because the errors add up along the row.

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Pre-writing worksheet with four different practice strokes, strokes for i, l, t and e

Strokes for i, l, t and E

The straight-line strokes only: down, across and crossed, which between them build i, l, t, E, F and H.

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Pre-writing worksheet with four different practice strokes, strokes for c, o, a and d

Strokes for c, o, a and d

The round strokes that all travel right to left, the direction c, o, a, d, g and q are drawn in.

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Pre-writing worksheet with four different practice strokes, strokes for m, n, r and h

Strokes for m, n, r and h

Humps and arches on one page, the shoulder movement behind m, n, r and h.

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Pre-writing worksheet with four different practice strokes, strokes for v, w, x and z

Strokes for v, w, x and z

Slants in both directions and the crossings they make, which is everything v, w, x, y, z and A need.

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Pre-writing worksheet with four different practice strokes, strokes for joined writing

Strokes for joined writing

Loops, eights and coils together, the continuous movements cursive is built out of.

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Pre-writing worksheet with four different practice strokes, strokes that hang below the line

Strokes that hang below the line

Everything that drops under the writing line, the part of g, j, p, q and y that beginners forget.

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curves and cups pre-writing worksheet, four rows with a different dashed pattern on each

Curves and Cups

Four rounded strokes in a row, none of them with a single corner in it.

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chains and coils pre-writing worksheet, four rows with a different dashed pattern on each

Chains and Coils

Continuous strokes that cross themselves: chain links, a coil, loops and eights.

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points and angles pre-writing worksheet, four rows with a different dashed pattern on each

Points and Angles

Nothing but sharp changes of direction, from zip ticks to mountain peaks.

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flags and ladders pre-writing worksheet, four rows with a different dashed pattern on each

Flags and Ladders

Four strokes built on upright lines, from a bare vertical to a flag folded back on its pole.

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Before letters come strokes

Every letter in the alphabet is built from a handful of basic strokes, and a child who cannot yet draw a controlled wave has no chance with a cursive e. These eight worksheets isolate those strokes one at a time: vertical lines, horizontal lines, diagonals, waves, zigzags, loops, circles and semicircles. Each row starts with a solid example and a green starting dot, so the child always knows where the pencil goes down.

How to use them without wearing anyone out

Occupational therapists and early-childhood teachers recommend pattern tracing from around age 3. Work top to bottom and left to right, in short sessions of five or ten minutes, and do not correct the wobble: the point is the direction of travel, not neatness. Do the straight lines first, the diagonals next, and leave loops and circles for last, since they demand the most wrist rotation. When a child can follow waves and loops comfortably, they are ready for letter tracing.

Frequently asked questions

What age is pre-writing practice for?

Ages 3-5 in most cases: preschool and pre-K. Some children arrive at kindergarten still needing the loops and zigzags, and that is completely normal, so use the sheets whenever pencil control is the bottleneck rather than going by the birthday.

Can I use these in a therapy or SEN setting?

Yes. Printing them for a therapy practice, a special-education group, a library or a classroom is free and unlimited, exactly like personal home use. They are often used for fine-motor warm-ups because each sheet does one thing only.

Do I need to sign up?

No. No account, no email, no watermark. Every one of the eight patterns is a one-page PDF you can download and print in seconds.

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