Cursive Handwriting Workbook: Free Printable Cursive Practice (PDF)

Who this workbook is for

Many US schools introduce cursive in second or third grade, after children are secure in print writing, and families who homeschool often start at the same age. This workbook is for ages 6 to 9, for children who can write their print letters on the line and want to learn joined writing, and for older children who need a fresh start.

It teaches cursive in the order the page numbers run: small letters first, then capitals, then whole words and sentences. If your child is not yet comfortable forming print letters, begin with the ABC Tracing Book or the CVC Words Workbook. To practice a name or a list of your own words, use our cursive writing worksheets or our cursive name tracing page, and read the How to Teach Cursive Handwriting to Kids guide for a gentle teaching plan.

What is inside the Cursive Handwriting Workbook

The workbook has 71 pages. Every page is numbered in the bottom corner, so you can print one section at a time.

Small Letters a to m (pages 4–16)

Thirteen pages, one letter per page. Each page has eight lines of the same small letter in light gray on handwriting paper with a dotted middle line and a baseline, so your child can trace the shape again and again. Letters a, c, d, g and q all start with the same round “c” stroke, so they are good ones to group together.

Small Letters n to z (pages 17–29)

Thirteen more pages from n to z. This group has the letters with the most unusual shapes (r, s, v, x, z) and long descenders (p, q, y, z), which go below the baseline. Take them slowly and compare each letter with the one before it.

Capital Letters A to M (pages 30–42)

Thirteen pages of capitals, one per letter, with six large letters on each of seven lines. Capitals stand taller than the small letters, so each line is a little roomier. Capitals follow a traditional American cursive model, and some, such as M and N, look like taller versions of their small letters with an extra starting stroke.

Capital Letters N to Z (pages 43–55)

The last thirteen capitals, N to Z. Some of these, such as Q and Z, look quite different from their print versions, so ask your child to say the letter name out loud as they trace each one.

Alphabet Review (pages 56–57)

Two pages that show the whole small alphabet (a to m and n to z) and the whole capital alphabet. Each alphabet appears twice in light gray, and a blank line beneath every gray row gives your child space to write it alone. They are a good checkpoint before starting words.

Cursive Words (pages 58–67)

Ten pages of five words each, with every word shown once in light gray to trace and a blank line beneath for your child to write it alone. The topics are sky and feelings, animals, fruit, colors, family, the days of the week (two pages) and the months of the year, with the four seasons at the end. The letters inside each word are joined, which is the main skill of cursive.

Cursive Sentences (pages 68–70)

Three pages of five short sentences each, from “The sun is bright.” to “Smile and be happy.” One is the pangram “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” (split over two lines), which uses every letter of the alphabet. Each sentence is shown in light gray to trace, with a blank line below to write it again.

Cursive styles differ from school to school

There is no single cursive style. Schools in the United States use several models, including D’Nealian, Zaner-Bloser and Palmer, and the shapes of some capitals vary between them. This workbook uses one traditional, slightly slanted style throughout. If your child’s school uses another model, check the capitals with the teacher and treat this book as extra practice for the movement and the joins.

Short, daily practice works much better than a long weekly session. Ten minutes a day is plenty, and the Cursive Letters A to Z: A Simple Guide for Kids and Cursive Practice Sentences for Kids: Easy to Hard List guides explain how to move from letters to sentences. To learn the most important word of all, see how to How to Write Your Name in Cursive.