Trace the Number 4
Toddler · 2–3A free tracing sheet for the numeral 4 — four — with dashed guides and a practice row. The open four: a diagonal down to the left, across to the right, then a separate vertical dropping through the crossbar. Lifting between the two strokes is intended. Make sure the stem carries well past the bar, or legibility suffers. Then count 4 things around you — fingers, toys, or steps — to link the symbol with the amount it stands for. Print it on A4 or US Letter. Tracing the shape and counting that many real things are two different skills, and this sheet is only worth much when they happen together.
Stroke order for 4
The open four, which is what this sheet uses, is two separate strokes: a diagonal down to the left and then straight across to the right, followed by a vertical line coming down through the crossbar. Lifting between them is intended.
The closed four, made in one stroke with a triangular top, is equally correct and is what many adults write. Do not switch between the two while your child is learning.
What to watch for
That the vertical comes down far enough past the crossbar. A 4 with a short stem is one of the less legible digits, and it is an easy thing to fix by pointing at the bottom guideline.
Frequently asked questions
- Should we use the open or closed 4?
- The open, two-stroke version is easier for young hands and is what most early-years programmes teach. Either is correct — what causes confusion is switching between them.
- Why does my child's 4 look wrong?
- Usually a stem that stops too soon. The vertical needs to carry well past the crossbar, and pointing at the bottom guideline is normally all it takes.