The Dolch pre-primer list is where every young reader begins. These 40 high-frequency words — short helpers like a, the, and, and see — make up a huge slice of the simple books your child meets first. Our free printable Dolch pre-primer sight words worksheets turn that list into hands-on practice that feels like play, not drilling.
Everything below is 100% free, ready to print on standard paper, and built for Pre-K and kindergarten (ages 3 to 5). Scroll down for the complete word list, preview images of every page, and the one-click PDF download.
Table of Contents
Complete Dolch Pre-Primer Sight Words List (40 Words)
Here is the full Dolch Pre-Primer word list, exactly matching every page of the printable. Use it as a quick checklist and tick off each word as your child masters it.
| 1. a | 2. and | 3. away | 4. big |
| 5. blue | 6. can | 7. come | 8. down |
| 9. find | 10. for | 11. funny | 12. go |
| 13. help | 14. here | 15. I | 16. in |
| 17. is | 18. it | 19. jump | 20. little |
| 21. look | 22. make | 23. me | 24. my |
| 25. not | 26. one | 27. play | 28. red |
| 29. run | 30. said | 31. see | 32. the |
| 33. three | 34. to | 35. two | 36. up |
| 37. we | 38. where | 39. yellow | 40. you |
The Dolch sight word lists were compiled by Dr. Edward William Dolch in the 1930s and are still the most widely used set of high-frequency words in U.S. classrooms. The pre-primer words here are the first of five Dolch levels that together make up 220 “service words.” Mastering this list moves your child a big step closer to reading the majority of words in almost any beginner text.
Download the Free Dolch Pre-Primer Worksheets PDF
The complete 40-word worksheet pack is a single A4 PDF with trace-and-write pages, a circle-the-word activity, a fill-in-the-missing-letters page, a complete-the-sentence page, and an answer key. Tap the button below to grab your free copy, then scroll on to see a preview of every activity.
What’s Inside the Dolch Pre-Primer Worksheets
Each pack guides children through four proven activity types, moving from guided tracing to independent reading and writing. Here is what to expect on every page.
1. Read, Trace & Write
Children read each sight word, trace the light-gray model letters, then write the word on their own. This trace-then-write sequence builds correct letter formation and lets young learners feel the shape of words like a and big before writing them from memory.
The pack includes several tracing pages so your child can practice the whole list, a few words at a time:
2. Circle the Correct Word
Each row shows the target word next to look-alike misspellings — for example, spotting funny among tricky distractors such as fdnny, unny. This sharpens visual discrimination, the exact skill readers use to tell similar words apart at a glance.
3. Fill in the Missing Letters
Words appear with one or two letters removed, like a_ay (away), b_g (big), blu_ (blue). Children complete each word, which links spelling patterns to the whole word and reinforces the letters that are easy to forget.
4. Complete the Sentence
Using a word bank, children choose the right sight word to finish real sentences — such as “I can ______ a big cat.” (see). This final step proves they can use each word in context, not just recognize it in isolation.
A complete answer key is included so parents and teachers can check the circle, missing-letter, and sentence pages in seconds.
Why Sight Word Worksheets Help
At the pre-primer stage, children are still learning that print carries meaning. Many of these words can’t be sounded out easily — you simply have to recognize them on sight — so repeated, multi-sensory practice matters more than phonics rules here.
Sight words — also called high-frequency words — make up around half to two-thirds of the words in everyday text. When a child reads them automatically, working memory is freed for comprehension. Worksheets add three things flash cards alone can’t: handwriting practice, spelling reinforcement, and a written record of progress you can revisit.
Used regularly, these worksheets help children:
- Read faster by recognizing common words instantly instead of decoding them letter by letter.
- Write and spell better through repeated, correct letter formation.
- Build confidence as familiar words turn reading from a chore into something they enjoy.
- Show measurable progress that parents and teachers can see and celebrate.
The multi-sensory mix here — seeing, saying, tracing, and writing — matches how young brains lock in new words. Pairing these pages with the matching Dolch Pre-Primer Flash Cards gives children both quick recognition practice and the writing reps that make words stick.
How to Use These Dolch Pre-Primer Worksheets
- Print one set. Download the PDF and print the pages you need on standard paper — no color ink required.
- Start small. Choose five to eight words for the week instead of all 40 at once.
- Follow the order. Read and trace first, then circle, then missing letters, and finish with sentences — each step is a little harder than the last.
- Keep sessions short. Five to ten focused minutes a day beats one long, tiring session.
- Review and celebrate. Revisit earlier words often and check off each one on the word list as it’s mastered.
Looking for more handwriting warm-ups before you begin? Our Pre-Writing Worksheets for Preschool and Letter Tracing Worksheets pair well with this set.
Teaching Tips for Pre-Primer Sight Words
- Say it, then write it. Have your child say each word aloud before and after writing — hearing the word strengthens the memory.
- Hunt for words in books. Ask your child to find this week’s words in a favorite story; real context makes them stick.
- Use the sentences. After the worksheet, have your child make up a new sentence with the word, like “We jump up and down.” — then write it.
- Make it a game. Time how fast they can read the word list, or play “I spy” with sight words around the room.
- Be consistent. A short daily routine builds far more fluency than occasional long sessions.
More Free Sight Word Resources
Keep the momentum going with these free printables from Kids Activities:
- Dolch Pre-Primer Flash Cards — quick-flip recognition practice for the same pre-primer words.
- Primer Sight Words Worksheets — the next level, once these words are mastered.
- Pre-Writing Worksheets for Preschool
- Letter Tracing Worksheets
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Dolch pre-primer sight words?
Pre-primer is the first and easiest level of the Dolch sight word lists. It contains 40 of the most common words in beginner books, such as a, and, big, can, go, look, see, and you. Children are expected to recognize them instantly, without sounding them out.
How many words are in this worksheet pack?
The pre-primer pack covers all 40 Dolch pre-primer words across trace-and-write pages, a circle-the-word activity, a fill-in-the-missing-letters page, and a complete-the-sentence page, plus a one-page word list you can use as a quick checklist.
What age or grade are these worksheets for?
They are designed for Pre-K and kindergarten learners, roughly ages 3 to 5, or any child taking their very first steps into reading. Older children who need a confidence-building review can use them too.
How do I download and print the free PDF?
Click the download button above. The file opens as a standard A4 PDF that prints cleanly in black and white on regular printer paper — no special supplies needed. Print one page at a time or the whole set.
What is the best way to practice these sight words?
Work on just five to eight words a week. Read each word aloud, trace it, then write it independently. Five focused minutes a day beats one long session, and reviewing earlier words keeps them fresh.
When your child is ready, move on to the Primer Sight Words Worksheets. Pair every page with the Dolch Pre-Primer Flash Cards for the fastest path to confident reading.
