Alphabet Tracing for Kids: What Order to Teach, Four-Line Paper and Tricky b and d

1. Capitals first, then lowercase

Capitals such as L, T, E and H are made of straight lines, which makes them a gentle start. Most text in books is lowercase, though, so if a child is already reading, starting lowercase early also works.

2. Capitals: practise similar shapes together

• Straight lines: L, T, I, E, F, H
• Slanted lines: A, V, W, X, K, M, N, Y, Z
• Curves: C, O, G, Q, S, U, J, D, P, B, R
• Most strokes go top to bottom and left to right; round letters such as O and C start at the top and curve to the left.

3. The lines on four-line paper

From the top: the top line, the dotted middle line, the baseline and the bottom line. Capitals run from the top line to the baseline. Small letters such as a, c, e and o sit between the middle line and the baseline. The English practice screen uses this four-line layout.

4. Three lowercase heights

• Tall letters: b, d, f, h, k, l, t climb above the middle line (t a little lower).
• Middle letters: a, c, e, i, m, n, o, r, s, u, v, w, x, z stay between the middle line and the baseline.
• Letters with tails: g, j, p, q, y drop below the baseline.
• Dots on i and j come last.

5. Round letters start with a c

a, d, g and q all begin with a c-shaped curve to the left, then add a straight line. Once c is comfortable, all four letters follow.

6. Telling b from d and p from q

• For d, write the c first and add the tall line on the right. For b, draw the tall line first and add the round belly at the bottom.
• Saying the order aloud helps children remember which is which.
• Practise confusing pairs on different days rather than side by side.

7. Moving on to words

Start with three-letter words such as cat, dog and pig. The picture word sets list words from fewest letters to most, and the abc / ABC buttons let children write each word in lowercase and in capitals.

Two-word names such as guinea pig and polar bear practise the space between words, and long words such as rhinoceros shrink automatically to fit the lines.

Practice with this guide

Trace these sets on screen, or print the same letters and words as a worksheet.

A B CUppercase Letter TracingA to Z capital lettersStart →a b cLowercase Letter Tracinga to z small lettersStart →Pets and Farm Animals Word Tracingdog, cat, pig and 11 moreStart →Zoo and Savanna Animals Word Tracinglion, tiger, zebra and 9 moreStart →

All handwriting practice →