Writing Flashcards
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Free printable · Writing
Letter formation chart (free printable)
The short answer
Good letter formation means starting each letter in the right place and moving the pencil the right way. Letters are easiest to learn in families that move the same way, like the long ladder letters l, i and t.
Our free chart shows every letter with a start dot, numbered arrows and a finish cross, taken from our Writing Flashcards.
Download the free letter formation chart
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Letter formation chart
Lowercase letters in four families, and capitals A to Z, with start dots and arrows.
Download free PDFGoes with our Writing Flashcards
How to form letters
Letter formation families
Grouping letters by how they're formed means each new letter builds on one your child already knows.
Long ladder letters: l, i, t, u, j, y
Start at the top and go straight down. Most children find these the easiest place to begin.
One-armed robot letters: r, b, n, h, m, k, p
Down the ladder, back up, and over. Say it out loud as they write: "down, up and over".
Curly caterpillar letters: c, a, d, o, s, g, q, e, f
Start at the top and curl back round, like a c. Once c feels easy, a, d and o are just a c with one more stroke.
Zigzag letters: z, v, w, x
Straight lines that go down and up. These often come last.
When do children learn letter formation?
Most children start forming letters in Reception, once they can hold a pencil comfortably.
In Year 1, children learn to start and finish each lowercase letter in the right place, to form capitals and the digits 0 to 9, and to practise letters in their families. Before that, plenty of mark making and big movements help: drawing circles, lines and zigzags in the air, in sand or with chalk. Our guide to learning to write covers every step, from pencil grip to letter formation.
At home
Letter formation tips
Short, playful practice works best.
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1 minute
Finger first
Trace the letter on the chart with a finger before picking up a pencil.
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1 minute
Say it as you go
"Start at the top, down, back up and over." The words help the movement stick.
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2 minutes
Big, then small
Draw the letter huge in the air or in sand, then on paper.
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2 minutes
Check the start
Look at where they start, not just the finished letter. The start dot is the bit that matters.
Our cards
Practise with our writing cards
Wipe-clean cards with a pen, so they can practise again and again.
Questions
Letter formation: your questions
What is letter formation?
Letter formation is how a letter is written: where the pencil starts, which way it moves, and where it stops. Getting it right early makes joined handwriting easier later.
What are the letter formation families?
Long ladder letters (l, i, t, u, j, y), one-armed robot letters (r, b, n, h, m, k, p), curly caterpillar letters (c, a, d, o, s, g, q, e, f) and zigzag letters (z, v, w, x).
Which letters should my child learn first?
Many children start with the letters in their own name, and the long ladder letters. Follow what interests them.
Does the chart include capital letters?
Yes. Page 1 is the lowercase letters in their families, and page 2 is capital letters A to Z.
Is the chart free?
Yes. It's free to print at home or in the classroom. There are more in our free printables library.
How much is delivery?
UK delivery is free on orders over £50.