Why tracing worksheets are beneficial

It may seem like tracing worksheets can just be busy work for our young children. This is definitely not the case! Let’s talk about why tracing worksheets are actually quite helpful!

Letter Recognition

Tracing worksheets help children with their letter recognition skills. While your child is tracing the letters, have them receive the name and sound of the letter.

Letter Formation

By using tracing worksheets, your child is getting repeated practice with proper letter formation. While they are tracing, they are learning the correct sizing of the letters, the proper orientation, and the overall spacing of the letters.

Fine Motor Development

Holding a pencil and writing is really working on those important fine motor skills! Tracing worksheets with either a pencil or dry-erase marker can be really helpful for kids who struggle with these tasks.

Confidence

These tracing worksheets are really low-pressure ways to practice their letter-writing skills. When your child can see that they are able to write letters that look just like the letters they see on the page, that’s a huge confidence boost.

 

TIPS FOR USING TRACING WORKSHEETS

Encourage Proper Grip and Writing Posture

When your child is working on tracing, make sure they have the proper pencil grip. The grip should be a “tripod grip,” meaning that the pencil is being held by the thumb and index finger. The pencil then rests on the middle finger.

 

Check out Learning Without Tears for more information on the correct pencil grip.

 

USE Different writing tools

After you print out the letter tracing worksheet, feel free to experiment with different types of writing utensils. Some of my favorites include glitter pens, colored pencils, and jumbo crayons. You can also add textured cardstock behind the paper to add a different sensory experience.