Pre-writing
Straight lines down Worksheet
Printable straight lines down tracing practice. Top-to-bottom control, the single most common stroke in writing. Trace the dashed guide, then try the empty row underneath. Adjust the size to suit the hand using it, then print or save a PDF.
Four steps
How to practise straight lines down
- 1
Say the cue
Start at the top and pull straight down.
- 2
Trace the guide
Start on the dot, follow the dashed line without lifting the pencil.
- 3
Try the empty row
The row underneath has no guide, so the movement is repeated unaided.
- 4
Shrink it over time
Reduce the row height as control improves.
What straight lines down trains
Top-to-bottom control, the single most common stroke in writing.
Say this while they trace: “Start at the top and pull straight down.”
Why it matters later
l, i, t, b, d, h, k, p, r and the digit 1.
That connection is the reason to practise the movement on its own. When one of those letters later refuses to come out right, the problem is usually this movement rather than the letter, and a page of straight lines down fixes it faster than another page of the letter.
Where it sits in the order
This is pattern 2 of 11 in the teaching order used across these sheets. If it proves difficult, step back to straight lines across. Once it is comfortable, move on to slanted lines.
Related printables
See all pre-writing patterns, or move on to alphabet tracing and number tracing when the movements are secure.
Answers