I’m not sure why exactly but young children love tracing lines, whether using a crayon or just pointing with their finger. Since this is a great way to develop their pre-writing skills it’s a great opportunity to go with the flow!
Why trace lines?
There are many activities children can enjoy that will improve their pre-writing skills. If you visit THIS POST you’ll find lots of great information on the importance of pre-writing skills, what they are, and how to develop them.
Tracing lines is just one way of helping children get ready to write. And they don’t even have to pick up a pencil to do it. It’s valuable to start out tracing with fingers because holding a writing tool can be tricky!
So with these free tracing lines cards it’s perfectly fine to print them and then have children trace the lines with their fingers, or laminate them then put them under a shallow tray of sand or rice so children have an added sensory experience.
Pre-writing skills?
When your child is happy and ready to hold a writing tool to trace lines they’re not just practicing one pre-writing skill, they’re actually practicing lots! The graphic below has been taken out of an infographic so you can see what I’m referring to. (Sorry it’s a bit blurry but I’ve had to enlarge it).
- Hand and finger strength: Yes, holding the writing tool.
- Crossing the midline: Yes, IF the child reaches across their body to get to either end of the tracing strip rather than moving the strip across so they don’t have to move the position of their hand.
- Correct pencil grasp: Yes, IF they are being (or have been) taught the correct grip in the process.
- Hand eye coordination: Yes, by starting on the arrow and by following the lines.
- Bilateral Integration: Yes, by holding their writing tool in one hand and steadying the tracing strip with the other.
- Upper body strength: Not so much, but it is some help!
- Object manipulation: Yes, using a writing tool is complex.
- Visual perception: Yes, by being able to follow the implied directions by distinguishing between the lines, graphics and arrows and understanding why they’re on the page.
- Hand dominance: Yes, by using writing tools over time, a child determines which hand they prefer.
- Hand division: Yes, if children are holding their tool correctly. If they’re using an earlier-type grip, it’s still great practice till they’re able to use their individual fingers more precisely.
How to prepare and use these tracing lines activities
Simply print off the pages, cut the strips and laminate for longer use with a dry erase marker (or just a finger). Otherwise, just use them once with markers, crayons or pencils.
Depending on your child’s age and fine motor skill ability you may want to take a moment to correct their grip or they may be fine with what comes naturally to them.
Download your tracing lines printable
Click on the coloured link to download your TRACING LINES 2 printable. It will immediately be sent to your download folder or other device equivalent. You can find more free tracing pages HERE and HERE.
Looking for more?
I have created a larger product which contains all the essential strokes and shapes recommended for pre-writing development. You can find it HERE in my TpT store.
I hope your children enjoy these tracing activities and wish you happy teaching and learning!
