The letter D, particularly the lowercase version, is one of the more challenging letters for kids to write. Kids often mix up lowercase d and b and sometimes even switch up d with p and q as well. Kids need a lot of exposure and practice with the letter D to master it.
When it comes to phonics, teaching the /d/ sound is relatively easy. Most kids have little trouble recognizing and making the /d/ sound.
Some kids may mix up the /t/ and /d/ sounds in certain words because T can sometimes sound like /d/. For example, some kids may spell the word “pretty” as “predy” or “preddy.”
There’s no concrete rule to teach kids when to use D or T, so they’ll need a lot of exposure to these words to help them distinguish between them.
Free Printable Letter D Worksheets
Below are some free printable letter D worksheets. These sheets can be used in the classroom or as homework. Use these worksheets to help your students learn to recognize, write, and read the letter D.
Download All Letter D Worksheets
Letter D Coloring Pages
Coloring sheets are a great way to get younger preschoolers excited about learning letters. Coloring helps kids learn a letter shape and learn to recognize it out of the context of the alphabet.
The first coloring page familiarizes kids with the uppercase and lowercase versions of D. The second sheet builds on that recognition with a simple color-by-letter activity.
Letter D Recognition
These letter D recognition worksheets give preschoolers a lot of practice with recognizing the letter D. These sheets build a solid foundation for reading and writing the letter. The dot sheet prepares students for writing. The second sheet has students pick out uppercase and lowercase Ds among other letters.
Letter D Tracing Worksheets
Preschoolers and even kindergarteners can benefit from these letter D tracing worksheets. Each of these sheets gives kids a lot of practice and prepares them to write on their own. The second sheet also gives kids more experience distinguishing uppercase and lowercase D from other letters.
Phonemic Awareness With Letter D
When it comes to phonics, the /d/ sound is one of the easier ones you’ll teach, especially when it comes at the beginning or end of a word. Still, it’s vital that your students get plenty of practice with the sound and that you continue to return to it throughout the year.
This sheet introduces kids to the /d/ sound at the beginning of a word. Kids will learn to recognize the /d/ sound at the beginning of the word and translate that into their reading.
All-in-One Letter D Worksheet
This final worksheet puts it all together. Kids get a chance to write and recognize lowercase and uppercase D. They also get practice with finding words with an initial /d/ sound.
Letter D Activities
These letter D printables should be one part of a larger set of activities revolving around recognizing, writing, and learning the sounds of the letter D. Give students a chance to see and write D in many contexts. Let kids practice making the letter with play-doh and writing it in shaving cream.
Read books like Dinosaur Dance by Sandra Boynton and The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds to help students learn the D sound and familiarize them with the letter.
There are many fun crafts you can make with the letter D. If you turn an uppercase D on its side, you can add shapes to make it into a stegosaurus. You can also use small sprinkles or beads to make a D donut, which also improves fine motor skills.
Writing and Recognizing Letters Made Easy
These letter D worksheets can become an integral part of your letter D lessons and will help your kids to learn a variety of skills.
Be sure to check out our other worksheets focusing on the other letters of the alphabet. You can use all of them to help develop a consistent alphabet curriculum.