How to use it
Type your child’s name the way they’ll write it at school, usually a capital first letter and lowercase after.
Choose gray, dotted or outline letters, and how many rows to fit on the page. Fewer rows mean bigger letters.
Print it, then look at the solid name in the top row together and say each letter.
Have your child start each name at the green dot and trace from left to right.
Make it last: print on cardstock, laminate it or slip it into a sheet protector, and use a dry-erase marker or Velcro dots so you can use it again.
Questions parents ask
Should I write the name in capitals or lowercase?
Type it the way your child will see it at school: a capital first letter, then lowercase, like Ava rather than AVA. Some children start with all capitals because straight lines are easier to make, and that’s fine for a first try. Mixed case is the one to aim for.
Which letter style should we start with?
Gray letters are the easiest first step, because the whole shape is there to follow. Dotted letters ask a little more, since your child joins the dots to make the shape. Outline letters give a wide track to stay inside, which suits a child who presses hard or likes big movements.
How should my child hold the pencil?
A short, thick pencil or a broken crayon is easiest for small hands. Show them how to pinch it between the thumb and pointer finger, resting on the middle finger, a little way up from the tip. Keep it relaxed, and don’t worry if it looks different at first.
What does the green dot mean?
It shows where to put the pencil down to start each name. Starting at the dot, at the top of most letters, helps the letters come out the right way round.
Will it work for a name with an accent or a hyphen?
Yes. Accents, hyphens and apostrophes print just as you type them, so names like Zoë, José and Mary-Kate come out right. Letters from other alphabets print in a clear school font.
Is my child’s name saved anywhere?
No. A name you type stays in your browser so it can print on the sheet. It is never sent to us.
Is it really free?
Yes. One email unlocks this and every other tool in the library, and you can print as many as you like. Your email also brings one short story each Tuesday, and you can leave anytime.
Read it with a story
This is a simple visual support for everyday routines, not a therapy or a treatment. If your child works with a teacher or therapist, they can tell you how it fits with what they already do. Picture symbols: Mulberry Symbols, CC BY-SA 4.0.