Free Letter A Tracing Worksheet (Printable PDF)

What is on this worksheet

About the letter A — sound, shape, and words

Letter A is the first letter of the English alphabet and one of the most important sounds a child learns. It makes two main sounds: the short /æ/ sound as in apple, ant, and arm — and the long /eɪ/ sound as in ace and ape. For children aged 3–6, focus on the short /æ/ sound first — it appears far more often in early reading words.

How to form the letter A

Uppercase A: start at the top centre, draw a diagonal line down to the left, then a diagonal line down to the right (forming an upside-down V), then add a horizontal crossbar in the middle. Lowercase a: draw a small circle, then bring a straight line down from the right side of the circle.

Words that start with A

Use these words while tracing to connect the letter shape to a sound: Apple, Ant, Arm, Art, Axe, Arrow, Astronaut. Saying the word aloud as your child traces each letter activates more of the brain than silent copying — it builds the sound-symbol connection that is the foundation of reading.

The Todpoles Letter A flash card

The Todpoles Alphabet flash card for Letter A pairs Aa with an Apple illustration — the same word-letter connection used on this worksheet. When children see the card, trace the letter, and hear the word together, they form a much stronger memory than any single activity alone.

In the Todpoles app, scanning the Letter A card unlocks interactive letter games — children hear the /æ/ sound, see the letter animate, and match it in a game. The card and worksheet work together: paper builds the motor skill, the app reinforces the sound.

How to use this worksheet

Ages 3–4

Do one tracing row per sitting — uppercase first, lowercase in a later session. Trace slowly, saying “A — Apple” aloud with each stroke. Do not rush to the free-write lines; tracing builds the motor memory that makes free writing possible. Three to five sessions spread over a week is ideal for this age group.

Ages 5–6

Complete the full sheet — uppercase, lowercase, and the free-write lines — in one sitting. Aim for consistent size and letters sitting on the baseline. Once free-writing feels confident, try writing the letter without looking at the model at all.

Common mistake to avoid

Many parents skip straight to the free-write section. This feels faster but skips the motor-learning phase — children end up with shaky, inconsistent letterforms. Let the tracing rows do their job first. The free-write section is the reward, not the shortcut.

Frequently asked questions

What age is this worksheet for?

Ages 3–6. Children aged 3–4 typically work one row at a time over several sessions. Children aged 5–6 can complete the full sheet — uppercase, lowercase, and free-write — in one sitting.

What does the letter A sound like?

Letter A makes two main sounds. The short sound is /æ/ — as in apple, ant, and arm. The long sound is /eɪ/ — as in ape and ace. For early readers aged 3–6, start with the short /æ/ sound as it appears more frequently in beginner reading words.

Is this worksheet free to download?

Yes — completely free. Click the download button and the PDF opens directly. No email, no account, no watermark. Print as many copies as you need.

Can I print more than one copy?

Yes. We recommend printing 2–3 copies and using a pencil so your child can erase and repeat. Most children need 3–5 practice sessions before writing a letter confidently from memory.

What comes after Letter A?

Move on to Letter B once your child can write A from memory with consistent size and shape. You can also browse all 26 letters and download the full A–Z bundle from the alphabet worksheets page.