ABC Handwriting Workbook for Ages 4–6: Write Letters and First Words (Free PDF, Level 2)

Quick summary

My ABC Letters Book (Level 2) is a free 33-page A4 PDF for children aged 4–6 who already know most letters from Level 1. Your child traces each letter, writes it on their own, hears the first sound of a word and writes the missing first letter and the whole word. It includes a guide for parents and teachers, a memory challenge, a progress page and a certificate.

At a glance

• Ages 4–6 (Level 2 of the ABC series)
• 33 pages · A4 PDF
• 26 letters: write on your own, first sounds and first words
• Free download, no sign-up
• Best laminated (or in a plastic sleeve) with a wipe-clean marker

How does this book help your child?

Level 2 moves your child from tracing to writing from memory:

• Writing strengthens letter recognition: in a 6-week study of 76 preschoolers (about 3 to 6.5 years old), children who wrote letters improved more on a letter-recognition test than children who only looked at them.
• From tracing to writing alone: each letter goes dots, then faint letters, then an empty row where your child writes on their own.
• Beginning sounds: your child says each picture slowly (“a-a-ant”) and writes the first letter, linking sounds to letters.
• First words: your child traces a dotted word and then writes it alone, copying a whole word from left to right.
• Writing from memory: the memory challenge page asks your child to write a letter without looking at the pages.
• Pencil grip: the guide includes a “what’s normal?” page. Children usually move from a fist grip to a finger grip and then a tripod grip, which settles for most around 6–7 years.

Ages are approximate. If writing alone is still hard, go back to Level 1 (ages 3–4) for a while. That is normal.

What is inside the file?

• 26 letter pages, each with three sections: (1) trace the big letter from the numbered circle, following the arrows; (2) write the letter in four rows: trace the dots, small letter, trace the faint letters, then write on your own, with a star to color for each row; (3) sounds and words: say each picture, write its first letter, then trace and write the whole word.
• Memory challenge: write the letter without looking.
• Guide for parents and teachers (3 pages) including a pencil-grip page.
• Progress page and certificate and a closing page with a QR code to more free printables.

Guide for parents and teachers: how to use the book

Set up

1. Choose a calm, fixed spot with a table and chair at your child’s size, good light and no screens nearby.
2. Print on A4 paper at 100% (Actual size), not “Fit to page”.
3. Laminate the pages or use clear sleeves; use a wipe-clean marker (medium tip) and a soft cloth.
4. Pick one or two letters per session, starting with the letters of your child’s name.

How to present each letter

1. Say the letter’s name and its sound clearly, and show the picture word (A… apple).
2. Finger first: trace the big letter from circle 1, following the arrows. Then use the marker on the same path.
3. Rows: dots, then faint letters, then write alone in the empty row. Do not help with the last row; just watch.
4. Section 3, first letter: say each picture slowly (“a-a-ant”) and write the first letter in the box.
5. Section 3, the word: trace the dotted word, then write it alone on the line.
6. Color a star, and praise the effort, not perfect writing.

If your child won’t continue

• Drop the pressure: refusing is a message, not bad behaviour.
• Make the step smaller: trace with a finger instead of the marker, or switch to an easier letter (I, L, O, T).
• Change the feel: trace the letter in sand or on a tray, or build it from yarn or clay.
• Go back to Level 1 for a while if writing alone is still hard.
• End on a good note: stop after 5–10 minutes.

If refusing goes on for weeks, or holding the marker is very hard, ask a specialist.

Next step: when your child writes letters and simple words with confidence, move on to Level 3 — Phonics Word Families Workbook (ages 5–7).

Frequently asked questions

License and terms of use

• Allowed: print and laminate for personal use with your own children, and in the classroom or learning sessions.
• Allowed: share the link to this page with others.
• Not allowed: selling the file or any part of it, uploading it to another website, channel, group or store, or presenting it as someone else’s work.
• Commercial use (books or products for sale) requires written permission.

© Art & Craft Academy. All rights reserved. For questions, use our contact page.

Printed and laminated version: coming soon.

Sources

• Zemlock, Vinci-Booher & James (2018) — a study of handwriting and letter recognition in preschool children (Indiana University)
• NHS Wales — Developing a tripod grasp (Children’s Occupational Therapy)

Ages are approximate and for guidance. Every child develops at their own pace. Sources reviewed October 2026.