Chinese Handwriting for Kids: Strokes and Stroke Order Practice (Ages 6–8)

By the end you can

• Name the eight basic strokes. Across, down, slide left, slide right, dot, flick up, turn and hook, each with its own direction. Your child says the name while drawing it.
  横、竖、撇、捺 · Héng, shù, piě, nà · across, down, slide left, slide right
• Draw each stroke the right way. Trace every stroke three times in a big box, then once in a small one, and match each stroke to its arrow.
  这是撇。 · Zhè shì piě. · This is a slide-left stroke.
• Use three stroke-order rules. Top first, left first, outside first. In a closed box like 四, the bottom line that shuts the door comes last.
  先左后右 · xiān zuǒ hòu yòu · left first, then right
• Number the strokes in a character. Write 1, 2, 3 beside each stroke of 八, 儿 and 天, and pick which part of 好 and 风 comes first.
  一，二，三，四！ · Yī, èr, sān, sì! · One, two, three, four!
• Trace and write 18 easy characters. Six a page in big practice grids with arrows and numbers, from 十 and 马 to 风, 羊 and 好, then on their own in small grids.
  我是小马！ · Wǒ shì xiǎo mǎ! · I'm a little horse!
• Count strokes and spot the last one. Count the strokes in 女 and 马, listen and circle 天 or 云, and find the stroke that comes last in 羊 and 本.
  风来了！ · Fēng lái le! · Here comes the wind!
• Join two characters into a first word. 白 and 马 make white horse; 本 and 子 make notebook. Your child traces, then writes 白马, 王子, 白天 and 羊毛.
  女儿 · nǚ'ér · daughter
• Say what they can write. Finish with a certificate: three best characters, a star for each, and a proud line to say out loud.
  我会写十八个字！ · Wǒ huì xiě shíbā ge zì! · I can write eighteen characters!

What’s inside

• Strokes: Meet the Eight Strokes · Trace Big, Then Small
• Order: Three Easy Order Rules · Number the Strokes
• Characters 1–6: Trace Ten, Eight and Horse
• Characters 7–12: Trace Sky, Cloud and Wind
• Characters 13–18: Trace White, Sheep and Good
• Words: My First Words
• Review: My Handwriting Certificate

How to use this book

One page per session, in order. For ages 6 to 8 the book suggests ten minutes: two minutes drawing strokes in the air, six on the page, two saying the characters aloud.

1. Sessions 1–2: The eight strokes. Pages 3 and 4. Check the pencil grip, draw each stroke in the air while saying its name, then trace big before small.
2. Sessions 3–4: Stroke order. Pages 5 and 6. Say each rule out loud before writing, then number the strokes of 八, 儿 and 天.
3. Sessions 5–7: Eighteen characters. Pages 7 to 9, six characters a session. Trace in the big grid, write alone in the small grid, then say each one.
4. Session 8: First words. Page 10. Join two characters you already know into a word, trace it, and write it twice.
5. Session 9: The certificate. Page 11. Write the three best characters, colour a star for each, and check stroke counts with the answer key at the back.

Who it’s for

Children aged 6 to 8 who are ready to hold a pencil and start writing Chinese characters, with a parent at home or a teacher in class. Grown-ups don't need to know Chinese: the answer key gives every stroke count and order.

Before you start: Nothing in Chinese. Your child needs a sharp pencil and a steady grip. Every line has pinyin and English, and the free audio reads each Chinese line with a pause to say it back.

Frequently asked questions

Which characters does my child write?

Eighteen easy ones, six a page: 十 八 儿 子 女 马, then 王 天 云 风 牛 毛 (all four strokes), then 不 白 本 米 羊 好. Page 10 joins them into words like 白马 (white horse) and 羊毛 (wool).

What if my child writes a stroke the wrong way?

The book suggests tracing it together in the air instead of rubbing it out, and praising one specific thing, such as a nice straight 横. Big, slow strokes in the large boxes come first; the small boxes come later.

Is this a reading book or a writing book?

A writing book. It teaches the hand: stroke names, directions, stroke order and neat characters in practice grids. The characters are simple ones chosen because they are easy to write.

Is this workbook free?

Yes. The whole 13-page PDF is free, and you can look through its pages here before you download. There's no card and nothing to pay.

Do I need a SayMei account?

Yes, to download the PDF, and the account is free: sign up with Google, Apple or your email address. With it we email you a copy of the workbook, keep every workbook you download on your account on all your devices, save your place in the free online practice, and you can practise speaking with Mei Lin, SayMei's AI tutor.

How do I print it?

The PDF is US Letter size. On A4 paper, choose "Fit to page" (or "Scale to fit") in the print dialog so nothing is cut off. Print the whole workbook or only the pages you need; colour looks best, and black and white works too.

Can I print copies for my class or my children?

Yes. Print as many copies as you like for your own class or family. To share it, send this page: everyone can download their own copy.

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