Why Kids Should Draw Before They Write Letters

Should kids learn to draw before they write letters? Here's why drawing and tracing build the hand skills handwriting needs, and how to start at home.

By Kevin Coulston, author and illustrator of 88 children’s art books · November 11, 2026 · 3 min read

Yes, drawing should come before handwriting for most young children. Drawing builds the hand strength, pencil control and basic strokes (lines, circles, curves and crosses) that every letter is made of, and it does so without the pressure of getting a letter "right".

Many parents feel a rush to get preschoolers writing their name. It is a lovely milestone, but most occupational therapists and early childhood teachers agree on the order: scribbling and drawing first, then shapes, then letters. Skip the foundation and handwriting can become a battle.

Letters are just shapes in a certain order

Look closely at the alphabet. Almost every letter is built from a few simple strokes:

Vertical lines (l, t, i)
Horizontal lines (the bar on t, e, f)
Circles (o, a, d)
Diagonal lines (v, w, x, k)
Curves and hooks (c, s, j)

Children usually learn to copy these shapes in a predictable order, starting with vertical lines and circles and moving toward diagonals and crosses. Drawing gives them hundreds of chances to practise each one inside pictures they enjoy.

Why tracing is a gentle first step

Tracing gives a young hand a path to follow. The child does not need to plan where the line goes, so they can focus completely on moving the pencil smoothly. That is perfect practice for future letter formation. Once tracing feels easy, freehand drawing follows naturally.

Trace Then Color: Cartoon Dinosaurs is made for exactly this stage. Kids trace friendly dinosaurs, which are full of the curves, bumps and lines that letters use, then color them in. It feels like play, not practice.

Signs your child is ready for letters

They can draw a circle and a cross.
They hold a crayon or pencil with fingers rather than a fist.
They can copy a simple shape you draw.
They show interest in letters, like pointing out the first letter of their name.

If these are not there yet, more drawing is the best preparation.

Pre-writing drawing activities

Rain and grass. Draw vertical lines for rain and short lines for grass.
Bubbles. Fill a page with circles of all sizes.
Mountain ranges. Zigzags are early diagonal practice.
Snail shells. Spirals build curve control.
Railway tracks. Long lines crossed by short lines.

Keep it short and happy

Five to ten minutes of drawing a day does more than an occasional long session. Let your child pick the subject, and praise effort over neatness. If your child seems to find drawing physically hard or tiring, talk to their teacher or an occupational therapist, who can suggest targeted support. You can also read why tracing is good for kids.

The payoff

Kids who have drawn a lot often find handwriting easier and more enjoyable, because the movements are already familiar. And they still have something just as important: a love of putting marks on paper.

Questions parents ask

Should children learn to draw before writing?

Yes. Drawing and tracing build the hand control and basic strokes that letters are made of. Most children are ready for letters once they can draw a circle and a cross.

What pre-writing shapes should kids learn first?

Typically vertical lines, horizontal lines and circles come first, then crosses, squares, diagonal lines and triangles.

Is tracing good for handwriting?

Tracing lets children practise smooth pencil movements without planning the path, which is useful preparation for letter formation.

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