Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
My Name on the Board: Free Printable Worksheet for Reception
- ForReception
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
My Name on the Board is a free printable English worksheet for Reception (ages 4 to 5). Children trace their own name, say the first letter aloud, then hunt for that letter among other names on the sheet and circle it. It needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas, a stretch task and the answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
A grown up writes the child's name on the first line in pencil or highlighter. The child traces over it, then says the first letter aloud. Next they look carefully at a set of name cards, such as Ava, Ben, Sofia and Leo, and circle the letter that matches the start of their own name. There is also a space to add a name of their own.
- Ava
- Ben
- Bella
- Max
- Mia
- Sam
- Sofia
- Leo
- Add my name here
How the sheet builds early writing
Trace your own name
The child follows the letters of a name they already know. This gives their hand a clear path to copy and links the shape to a word that matters to them.
Say the first letter
Saying the letter aloud before searching helps the child hold it in mind. A grown up can add its sound as well as its name.
Look across the name cards
The child scans a group of names and compares letter shapes. This slows their eyes down and trains careful looking.
Circle the match
Circling shows what the child has spotted. It is a small mark that is easy to make, so it keeps the focus on thinking.
Why start with a child's own name?
A child's name is often the first word they want to read and write. It is personal, so the letters feel worth learning. Starting with a name also shows children that letters stand for something real. Each letter in a name has a shape and a sound, and the name always begins with a capital letter in English.
Tracing helps children feel the movement of each letter and builds control of the pencil. Many children need lots of mark making, drawing and play before neat writing comes. Saying the letter name or sound while tracing joins the shape, the sound and the movement together, which makes the letter easier to remember.
Skills and curriculum link
- Tracing letters
- Letter recognition
- Looking carefully
- Pencil control
- Name recognition
Ideas to help your child with names and letters
- Capital lettersA name starts with a capital letter in English. Point this out on the first line, then ask your child to look for the same shape on the cards.
- Letter names and soundsEvery letter has a name and a sound. Say both when you point to it. Use whichever your child is learning at school.
- Left to rightEnglish is read and written from left to right. Run your finger under each name from the left to show where to begin.
- Pencil gripShort, relaxed sessions help small hands. Let your child shake out their fingers or take a break if they get tired.
Key words
- NameThe word people use to call you. It is made of letters.
- LetterA shape we use when we write. Letters have names and sounds.
- First letterThe letter at the start of a word.
- Capital letterThe big form of a letter. Names start with one.
- TraceDraw over a line or letter that is already there.
- CircleDraw a ring around something to show you have found it.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2 for yourself.
- Write your child's name in pencil or highlighter on the first line. Make the letters clear and a good size.
- Ask your child to trace over each letter, then say the first letter aloud before they start hunting.
- Look along the name cards together, one at a time. Praise careful looking, then circle the matching letters and check with page 2.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Point to the first letter of your child's name with a finger and say its sound. Then check each name card one at a time, pointing to the first letter of each. Do a few names now and finish the rest later.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to find the last letter of their name on the cards too. Or they can count how many names start with the same letter as theirs. Then they can try writing their name without tracing.
Make it a game
Write the names from the sheet on a real blackboard or a sheet of dark paper. Children take turns to use chalk to circle a letter that matches the start of their own name. Say the sound together each time.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child circles a letter that looks similar but is not the same, such as b and d.
Try thisSay the sound of each letter and trace it with a finger in the air. Point out which way the curve faces and compare it with the traced name.
Watch forA child traces quickly and the letters go off the line.
Try thisSlow down. Ask them to put a finger on the start of each letter and move to the end with a slow pencil. Praise the effort.
Watch forA child looks only at the end of each name, not the start.
Try thisCover all but the first letter of each name card with a finger or a strip of paper. Say that we start from the left.
Talk about it
- What is the first letter of your name? What sound does it make?
- Can you find your letter anywhere in the room?
- Whose name is the longest? Whose is the shortest?
- Which names look a bit like yours? What is different?
- Who gave you your name? Do you know why?
- Can you write a friend's name for me? What letter does it start with?
Take it off the page
Name in a tray
Put a thin layer of salt, sand or flour in a tray. Your child writes their name with a finger and smooths it out to try again.
Playdough letters
Roll playdough into long snakes and shape them into the letters of your child's name. Lay them in order on a piece of paper.
Letter spotting walk
Go for a walk or a shop trip and spot your child's first letter on signs, boxes and doors. Say its sound each time.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go and let them lead. Keep it relaxed. If they tire, stop and return later. Praise careful tracing and looking, not just correct circles.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, early finisher task or table activity. Write each child's name on their copy first. It suits mixed groups, as page 2 gives support and stretch ideas.
Home educators
Add it to your plan alongside stories, songs and play. Copy it for brothers and sisters, and write each child's own name on their copy. Come back to it a few weeks later to see how their letter control has grown.
Where this fits in learning to write
Before this sheet, children enjoy mark making, drawing and play with sand, dough and paint. They start to notice that their name is made of letters and they learn to recognise it in print.
After it, children can practise writing their name without tracing, learn more letter sounds and begin to write other names and simple words. Tracing and spotting letters is an early step on that path.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is My Name on the Board for?
It is written for Reception, children aged 4 to 5, in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Younger children may enjoy tracing with help, and older ones can try the stretch idea on page 2.
- What will children practise?
Children practise recognising and tracing the letters of their own name, and spotting their first letter among other names. They also practise looking carefully and controlling a pencil.
- How do I use it?
Write the child's name in pencil or highlighter on the first line. They trace over it, then say the first letter aloud. After that they look at the name cards and circle matching letters.
- What if it feels too hard?
Point to the first letter with a finger, say its sound, then check each name one at a time. You can do part of the sheet now and return to the rest later.
- How long does it take?
It depends on the child. Work at their pace and stop when they tire. Short, relaxed sessions suit this age best, and you can finish the sheet on another day.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. It works as a starter, early finisher task, table activity or homework. It needs no preparation beyond printing and writing each child's name on the first line.
- Is it free and screen free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use, and it needs only paper and a pencil. Black and white printing on plain A4 paper works well.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.