Pre-writing

Paths to follow with a crayon, from one picture to another, for children not ready for letters yet. The roads get narrower and the lines get trickier as the ages go up.

Age 2 and up

Straight lines inside a wide road. Staying in the road is the goal; landing on the dashes is a bonus.

Straight AcrossWide, straight roads from left to right.Straight DownWide roads from the top of the page to the bottom.RainbowOne gentle arch up and over inside a wide road.Gentle WavesOne slow wave up and down inside a wide road.Match the PicturesDraw a line from each picture to its twin on the other side, then color them.Big, Little & DifferentFind and circle the picture that is big, little, or different in each row.

Age 3 and up

Curves that go up and over without stopping, on a narrower road.

HillsUp and over three rounded hills.WavesSmooth waves, up and down without stopping.

Age 4 and up

Peaks, corners and loops, the strokes letters are made of. No road now, just the line.

MountainsSharp peaks: the slanted strokes in A, M, V and W.Castle WallsUp, across and down: the square corners in E, F, H and L.LoopsLoop after loop without lifting the pencil.

First Shapes (Age 2 and up)

One shape at a time: follow the wide road all the way around, trace three dotted copies, then find and color every matching shape at the bottom.

CircleAll the way round a big circle road and back to the dot.SquareFour straight sides and four corners around a big square.TriangleDown one slant, across the bottom, and back up to the top.StarFive points around a big star to trace and color in.HeartTwo big curves at the top that meet at a point at the bottom.DiamondFour slanted sides from top to bottom and back again.