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Letter Aa printables and tracing worksheet for preschoolers can help your child learn how to write the capital letter A and small letter a, as they trace the lines. Your child can then trace the letters again and again, even using colored pencils when finished. If you are looking for free worksheets on tracing the letter A for your child check out the 3 free printables towards the end of this article!
Why Use Tracing
Tracing letters and numbers is a fundamental skill for primary school students. It is a great way to teach young kids how to write their letter and numbers.
By the time they reach four or five years old, most of these young children should be able to trace letters and numbers on paper, with few mistakes.
However, learning how to trace letters and numbers is much more than simply teaching children to draw.
It is essential for young children to start building a strong foundation in writing skills, so that they will be ready to learn how to write correctly when they get older.
A good place for parents and teachers of Four or Five year olds to start is by teaching them to trace letters and numbers at home.
Tips to Help Kids Learn Tracing
Children may sometimes struggle with tracing because they do not understand the process completely.
The following tips will help young children learn how to trace letters and numbers without too much difficulty:
Tip #1: Start with the basics – draw a stick figure on the paper using a crayon or pencil.
There are several great reasons for starting with a stick figure:
- Stick figures help young children visualize what they will draw so that the tracing process is successful and enjoyable from the beginning.
- They also give kids an opportunity to practice writing down their name, short words, names of family members, and other nicknames they may have.
- Stick figures teach children to recognize their shapes – long legs, short arms, etc., so learning how to write them becomes easier.
- Stick figures help students learn the important concept of how different body parts fit together in various positions (standing straight up, bending over, or sitting down).
- They also allow children to practice their motor skills, which are critical for learning how to write. It is easier to slowly trace a stick figure than it is to start by tracing letters and numbers right away.
And when children have more experience drawing stick figures, they will be ready to move on to the next step – tracing letters and numbers.
Tip #2: Trace lightly at first, and then make it darker and darker each time you trace the same letter or number.
This is a strategy for teaching children to trace letters and numbers, especially if they are young (3-4 years old). Helping children create their own rules will keep them interested and excited to learn how to write.
For example, if a child is learning the letter S, he might decide that “S” (the stick figure) stands for “strong” and then make his stick figure strong each time he traces it. This helps him remember how to form an “S”. Other children may choose different rules based on their interests.
Tip #3: Teach children to hold the pencil correctly when learning how to write letters and numbers in order for them to maintain good posture while they are writing.
Holding a pencil incorrectly can actually cause physical pain in your child’s hands, arms, shoulders and back. This is especially true if they are still becoming accustomed to writing with a pencil.
To teach children proper posture and hand positioning, have them sit up straight in their chair or standing at a table with the paper directly in front of them. In this position, they will be able to place the palm of their hand on the base of the pencil and then bring it up, keeping it close to the pencil. This will prevent them from bringing it up too high, which could cause pain in their neck and back after a long period of work.
If holding the pencil this way is uncomfortable for young children, you may also want to consider purchasing an ergonomic cushion that supports their arm while they are writing. You can find these at most stores that sell school supplies.
Tip #4: When teaching young children how to write letters and numbers, try using reward charts.
Reward charts are a great way for kids to see what they have accomplished so far and where they still need to improve. They will be excited when they receive stickers or stamps for each letter or number that they successfully write.
Tip #5: Make tracing activities fun for children and they will be eager to learn how to write letters and numbers.
There are several ways that you can make writing fun:
- Have your child choose a special pen or pencil that only he/she get to use when writing letters and number (this could be a special color like red or black).
- Have your child select a fun place to write – in her bedroom, outside on the porch, at a table in the kitchen, etc. She may also want to bring something soft and comfy to rest her arms on while she is writing (a pillow or stuffed animal would be perfect).
- To get the most out of tracing activities, teach your child to trace letters and numbers in different ways. He can trace them normally, backwards or by curving his finger around the letter or number first before making any marks on paper.
- Use this time to encourage your child to talk about what he is seeing (i.e., the shape of the letter). You can do this before he begins tracing or you may want to write some letters on a piece of paper and then ask your child what they are after he is done tracing.
- Have fun while teaching children how to write letters and numbers!
Tip #6: Make it a game to teach children how to write letters and numbers.
When you break it down into steps, there really is nothing scary about learning how to write. Here are some helpful hints to guide your child through the writing process:
- Encourage your child to copy letters or numbers from a book or board that he enjoys (if possible). If he is too young to read, you may want to read the words out loud for him. Once he gets a feel for how each letter looks and sounds, he will be able to copy them on his own.
- Help your child find something around the house or neighborhood that starts with the letter or number that he is learning. For example, if he is learning how to write the letter A, take him out to the front door and ask him what he sees that starts with an A.
- As you are walking around looking for things that start with a particular letter or number, have your child practice writing it in the air with his finger (this will help him get a better feel for how to write it).
Tip #7: It is important that you place emphasis on handwriting as your child gets older. Some schools don’t emphasize this enough and children end up being able to read, but not write – which can be very frustrating.
If you are concerned about your child’s ability to write once he gets into school, start by placing emphasis on handwriting once he is in the second grade and higher. This will allow him to have a good foundation for what lies ahead.
Tip #8: When children reach middle school age, you may notice that it becomes increasingly difficult for them to write neatly. This handwriting issue can become even more problematic when they reach high school.
The reason that handwriting becomes so hard at these ages is because the students are having to type much more than they used to and may not go back and forth between typing and writing hand-written notes as often anymore. This can cause them to fumble when it comes time for them to write by hand in class or on homework assignments.
Tips to make handwriting easier for your child
- Help your child develop good penmanship habits by having her write in her journal every day (this will help her become more comfortable writing).
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Encourage your child to keep a spiral notebook next to his bed so that he can practice writing before going to sleep at night.
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Allow your child to use a computer or tablet for note taking when she is in school – this will encourage her to get into the habit of typing notes so that when it comes time for her to write instead, she won’t have as much trouble with it.
If you follow these tips, not only will your child develop a passion for writing, but he will also be able to better understand how letters and numbers work.
By doing this, your child’s learning experience will be more enjoyable as well as meaningful – which is exactly what you want to happen!
Letter Aa printables
Just click the links below the page that you want to print out. You can save the PDF and print as many as you need.
Click Here for: Letter A Apple Printable
Click Here for: Letter Aa Plus Words Printable
Click Here for: Tracing Letters Printable
We hope that you enjoy these Letter Aa printables for your kids students! Let us know what you find that works or even that doesn’t! All kids need time to practice and find fun ways to learn. Never force them to do it when they are not up for the the task and encourage them when they engage in such activities.