Letter P Formation Worksheet
Trace the capital P and the small p with numbered start points and direction arrows, then write them on your own.
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How to write the letter P
The capital P is written in two strokes, and the small p in two strokes. The worksheet above is already set to this letter. It shows a model of each letter with green numbered start points and red direction arrows, then rows of dotted copies to trace and empty space to write on your own. Change the letter case, the size or the number of rows in the settings.
Capital P
Draw a straight line down. Go back to the top and draw a bump that curves around and comes back to the middle of the line.
Small p
Draw a straight line down from the middle line, through the base line and into the space below. Then start on the line, about halfway between the middle line and the base line, curve up and over to the right, down and around, and back to the line.
Teaching tip for P
The stick of the small p goes below the base line, but the round part sits on it like every other small letter. A small p is a b turned upside down, so it helps to practice them one after the other and say "stick down, then circle".
The sound of P and words to practice
The letter P usually stands for the sound /p/ as in pig (a puff of air). Words to practice: pig, pizza, panda, pear, pencil, penguin. Say each word, listen for the first sound and trace the letter. Try the beginning sounds worksheets to match the sound to pictures, or trace the words themselves with word tracing.
Letters that look alike
The letter P is easy to mix up with Letter Bb and Letter Qq. Practice them on separate days, one at a time, and say the starting point out loud each time before the pencil touches the paper.
More letters
Previous: Letter Oo · Next: Letter Qq · All letters A to Z
Frequently asked questions
What is a quick way to tell p, b, d and q apart?
Look at the line first. In p and q, the line goes below the base line; in b and d, it goes up to the top line. Then look at the side: the line is on the left for p and b, and on the right for q and d.
Free printable workbooks
Want a planned set instead of a single page? These free PDF workbooks use the same worksheets in a step-by-step order.
ABC Tracing Book
Every letter A to Z with numbered stroke arrows, a picture to color and a word to trace.
Dot Marker Activity Book
Big letters, numbers, shapes and pictures filled with circles for dot markers, stickers or fingertips.
CVC Words Workbook
Read, build, trace and write short a, e, i, o and u words with pictures, sound boxes and sentences.
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Guides for parents and teachers: Letter Formation Order: Which Letters to Teach First · How to Teach a Child to Write Their Name · How to Teach Cursive Handwriting to Kids · Cursive Letters A to Z: A Simple Guide for Kids