• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Artisan Life
  • Dot Marker Pages
  • Easter Printables
  • Journals & Planners
  • Preschool + K Printables
    • Alphabet Tracing Worksheets
    • Fine Motor Practice Pages
    • Spanish Preschool Pages
    • CVC & Sight Words
    • Dot Marker Pages
    • Preschool Math
    • Kindergarten Math Worksheets
    • Cut & Paste Puzzles
  • Coloring
  • Gardening + DIY
    • Gardening
    • DIY Cleaning Products
    • DIY Skincare Products
    • Craft Tutorials
  • Shop

Free Printable Hummingbird Prewriting Practice Cards

20 shares
  • Share

Your little learner will love practicing their fine motor skills with these free printable hummingbird themed prewriting cards. Use them as a print and play no-prep activity or laminate them for repeated use! They’re perfect for spring and summer study units as well as learning about pollinators and ecology.

A preview of three pages of prewriting practice shapes with a hummingbird theme. Each page has four cards to cut apart with a specific prewriting practice shape for preschoolers to trace.

These prewriting practice tracing pages will help your child develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. They feature a specific set of prewriting shapes that help your child practice stokes that are used in letter formation. They also help reinforce left to right as your child traces from the starting arrow on the left across the page to the right.

This post includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission on purchases made through links at no additional cost to you.

These pollinator themed prewriting practice cards are a fun, easy way to help your child practice prewriting skills. They’re perfect for homeschool preschool parents, classroom literacy centers and fine motor centers, and therapists.

It’s easy to make these prewriting practice cards reusable by laminating the pages or placing them in page protectors for use with a dry erase marker or wax crayon. We frequently use secure page protectors with a flap to keep the page inside. Look in the “how to use prewriting practice cards” section below for more information about ways to use the pages.

Table of Contents

  • What are prewriting skills?
  • How to print and use prewriting cards
  • Free printable pollinator theme tracing cards download area

What are prewriting skills?

Prewriting skills are all skills that must be learned before your child can write fluently.

Prewriting skills help your child hold and use a pencil correctly and comfortably, but they also include drawing, coloring, and copying the specific prewriting shapes. These prewriting shapes teach the basic building blocks of letters.

Prewriting skills include both:

  • Fine motor and manual dexterity skills and…
  • Specific letter formation shapes: | — O + / \ X Δ and a square. (source)

These printable prewriting cards help your child practice the specific letter formation shapes needed to write letters confidently and accurately.

Your child won’t know how to hold a pencil correctly at first, no matter how many times you demonstrate. This is okay and totally normal. It takes years for correct pencil grasp to develop. Just keep modeling the correct grasp and providing plenty of opportunities to practice.

You can also try using a pencil, instead of a marker, as mentioned above. Markers write similarly no matter the angle or pressure used. Pens and pencils need more control and finesse. We use preschooler-friendly pencils that are more manageable for little hands.

Channie's Easy-to-Hold Write Size Wooden Lead No2 Presharpened Graphite...
Channie's Easy-to-Hold Write Size Wooden Lead No2 Presharpened Graphite...
  • Cute Pencil Set for Children - Pre-sharpened number 2 pencils for writing and drawing; Easy to hold for small hands, perfect for kindergarteners and...
  • Jumbo Barrel - Thicker than regular number 2 pencils; Graphite core creates thick, dark lines; Each pencil is 4'' long to help your child gain better...
  • Complete School Set - Two sets with 5 wood pencils each; Ready to use in kindergarten or preschool; Pencils come presharpened for immediate use
Check current price

Instead of throwing the page out after your child traces it once with a pen or pencil, allow them to trace multiple times with their finger, a pencil, or pen. My daughter will happily trace the same line many times.

Each card has an arrow in the bottom left corner pointing the correct way to trace. Encourage left to right tracing to build your child’s writing and reading skills.

A preview of a page of hummingbird themed prewriting practice shapes for preschoolers to trace.

How to print and use prewriting cards

This set has three pages with four tracing paths each. Each “path” is comprised of a row of a specific prewriting shape. The cards feature cute hummingbird themed clip art with birds, flowers, and a hummingbird feeder.

Materials needed:

  • Free prewriting card printables. Download information is located lower in the post. Look for the row of purple arrows.
  • Paper and a printer.
    • I recommend 32 lb bright white paper. It’s brighter for better looking clipart and thicker for more durable prewriting cards.
  • Laminator, dry erase pockets, or page protectors. Optional.
    • Instead of dry erase pockets, I use heavy duty “secure” page protectors. They’re cheaper and easy to organize in a 3 ring binder.
  • Scissors or paper cutter, if you want to make tracing strips. 
    • A guillotine cutter is better for cutting laminated pages, but I usually use my paper trimmer because it’s safer for little helpers.
  • Binder rings, optional for an easy go-bag activity or keeping your classroom centers organized.
  • Crayons, pencils, markers, etc. for tracing
    • Pencils and crayons are great for single use pages. We like Honeyscticks beeswax crayons because the colors are easy to see and they’re pure beeswax with food grade colorants.
    • Instead of a dry erase marker, try Stabilo Woody wax crayons. They’re a wax crayon that can work as a dry erase, too! They come off easily when wiped with a lightly damp cloth or paper towel.
    • A preschool pencil is easier for little hands to hold than an adult pencil.
    • Your child can also just use their finger for tracing.
HP Paper Printer | 8.5 x 11 Paper | Premium 32 lb | 1 Ream - 500 Sheets |...
Honeysticks Natural Beeswax Crayons - Classic Crayon Size and Shape for a...
Avery 76000 Secure Top Sheet Protectors, Super Heavy Gauge, Letter, Diamond...
Multi-talented Pencil STABILO woody 3-in-1 - Wallet of 6 - Assorted colors...
HP Paper Printer | 8.5 x 11 Paper | Premium 32 lb | 1 Ream - 500 Sheets |...
Honeysticks Natural Beeswax Crayons - Classic Crayon Size and Shape for a...
Avery 76000 Secure Top Sheet Protectors, Super Heavy Gauge, Letter, Diamond...
Multi-talented Pencil STABILO woody 3-in-1 - Wallet of 6 - Assorted colors...
HP Paper Printer | 8.5 x 11 Paper | Premium 32 lb | 1 Ream - 500 Sheets |...
HP Paper Printer | 8.5 x 11 Paper | Premium 32 lb | 1 Ream - 500 Sheets |...
Honeysticks Natural Beeswax Crayons - Classic Crayon Size and Shape for a...
Honeysticks Natural Beeswax Crayons - Classic Crayon Size and Shape for a...
Avery 76000 Secure Top Sheet Protectors, Super Heavy Gauge, Letter, Diamond...
Avery 76000 Secure Top Sheet Protectors, Super Heavy Gauge, Letter, Diamond...
Multi-talented Pencil STABILO woody 3-in-1 - Wallet of 6 - Assorted colors...
Multi-talented Pencil STABILO woody 3-in-1 - Wallet of 6 - Assorted colors...

How to use prewriting cards

Get your download from lower down in the post. Look for the row of purple arrows pointing the way.

Print the pages you want to use. The shapes build in difficulty. The first page is the easiest, the third page is the most challenging. (I’m sorry the photo below is so dark/poor quality.

Laminate the pages, if you’re laminating. Cut after laminating to save yourself time. (If you cut first, you have to cut everything out again after laminating.) I did not laminate this time, by my daughter’s request so she could use her pencils.

Cut the cards apart using a paper trimmer or paper cutter. The pages shown below are from this set of Christmas prewriting practice cards.

A sheet with four prewriting practice cards being cut apart on a paper trimmer.

Show your child how to use the cards. You can start by tracing from left to right with your index finger, or you can go straight to using a marker/crayon.

Try (if you can – it’s a challenge!) to simply show how to trace the shapes without describing what you’re doing. In the Montessori philosophy, the adult demonstrates silently instead of narrating the process. This allows your child to focus on what you’re doing instead of trying to process your words and actions at the same time.

You can also make play dough “snakes” and use them to form the tracing shapes. Get a recipe for homemade play dough that stays soft in this post with alphabet play dough mats.

Free printable pollinator theme tracing cards download area

Like all free preschool printables on The Artisan Life, these are licensed for personal and single classroom use. You are welcome to use them with Scouts groups, home school co-ops, personal therapy clients, etc as long as you are personally organizing the activity and not charging specifically to participate.

You are not licensed to redistribute the files or printouts to others for their personal use. You are not licensed to sell the printables or printed pages anywhere (online or in person) or extract the images. Instead, please send your friends and coworkers to this page so they can download their own copies.

If you agree to these terms of use, you may click below:

five purple arrows pointing down on a white background
text "click here to download your printables" (hummingbird prewriting pages)

I hope your little learner enjoys these tracing cards! Make sure to grab these educational free printables for summer while you’re here on The Artisan Life:

Free summer printables

If you're looking for budget-friendly ways to keep your kids happy, busy, and learning without screen time, you've come to the right place! Be sure to check out some of the most popular free printables for kids here on The Artisan Life:

Free Printable Summer Bingo (low-prep boredom-buster)

Photo Credit: natashalh.com

This free printable summer bingo is fun for the whole family! Bingo is a low-prep activity and picture bingo doesn't require reading so children of all ages can play.

11+ Free Printable Summer Dot Marker Coloring Pages

Free Printable Mermaid Bingo (Fun & easy mermaid party activity!)

Free Printable Mermaid Prewriting Cards for Preschoolers

Free Printable Cute Mermaid Dot it Marker Pages

9 Free Printable Sun Templates

These free printable sun tempaltes are perfect for summer crafts and coloring!

Free Printable Summer Word Search

This free printable summer word search is a great way to challenge your child's brain and combat the summer slump while having fun.

13+ 4th of July Coloring Pages for Adults

Children, teens, and adults will enjoy this variety of 4th of July coloring pages!

Fourth of July Word Scramble

Make this Fourth of July word scramble easier by providing an answer bank or challenge older children by having them unscramble the Independence Day related words without additional clues.

Free Printable Beach Coloring Pages

These free printable beach coloring pages are detailed and perfect for teens and adults. Color your stress away, even if you can't go relax on the beach.

Free Printable Fourth of July Word Search (with answer key!)

This free printable Fourth of July word search is a screen-free way to keep your kids busy whille you're preparing a 4th of July meal.

Free Printable Fourth of July Bingo

Fourth of July bingo is sure to be a hit at your family cookout! Picture bingo is fun for all ages. Even young children can play becuase reading is not required!

Free Printable Mermaid Number Building Puzzles

Free Printable Mermaid Four Piece Puzzle

Free Printable Hammerhead Shark Puzzle

Free Printable Clownfish Four Piece Puzzle

20 shares
  • Share

Buy me a coffee

Filed Under: fine motor worksheets, Preschool worksheets, Printable

Previous Post: « Fairy & Princess Coloring Book for Kids
Next Post: Mandala Seahorses Coloring Book »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

natashalh - the artisan life

Hi, I’m Natasha! I’m so glad you’re here.

I’m a former classroom teacher with a Masters of the Arts in Teaching turned homeschooler & gardener. I share educational & planner printables and tips for making gardening with kids successful and affordable.

I also publish printed coloring & activity books. You can also find me on YouTube.

Let's be friends!

Search The Artisan Life

The Artisan Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

The Artisan Life also uses affiliate links for other sites. For a full look at my policy, please visit its page here.

Buy me a coffee

Footer

Privacy Policy | Disclosure & Disclaimer | Terms and Conditions | Contact
COPYRIGHT © 2012 – 2023 The Artisan Life · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly here: natashalh(at)stalkingthewildsnark(dot)com. I do not accept guest posts and will not respond to unsolicited requests for guest posts or links. Stock images by Depositphotos

Copyright © 2023 The Artisan Life on the Foodie Pro Theme