The 52 words on the Dolch primer list are the kindergarten sight words many teachers send home during the year. They build on the pre-K list with everyday helpers like they, want, was, what and with. Once a child knows them, simple books start to open up, and a sentence like "she saw what they ate" becomes readable without help. Mix tracing, flash cards and short games so practice stays playful and quick.
Kindergarten sight words
All 52 words from the Dolch primer list, with a word tracing worksheet and printable flash cards.
The 52 Kindergarten sight words
This is the Dolch primer list, a public-domain list of high-frequency words compiled by Edward William Dolch. Your child's school may use a different list or order, so check with the teacher if you want to match class work.
- all
- am
- are
- at
- ate
- be
- black
- brown
- but
- came
- did
- do
- eat
- four
- get
- good
- have
- he
- into
- like
- must
- new
- no
- now
- on
- our
- out
- please
- pretty
- ran
- ride
- saw
- say
- she
- so
- soon
- that
- there
- they
- this
- too
- under
- want
- was
- well
- went
- what
- white
- who
- will
- with
- yes
Sight word tracing worksheet
Each row traces one word. Tap the words to choose what goes on the sheet. The first eight are picked to start.
Printable sight word flash cards
Big, clear letters in the same style as the worksheets. Print the whole list or only the words your child is working on.
Tips for Kindergarten sight words
- Go on a word hunt in a picture book. Hand your child one flash card and have them spot that word on every page.
- Sort the cards into two piles: know it and still learning. Add new words only when the first pile grows.
- Pair tracing with a short sentence. Trace like, then read "I like red" together using words from the pre-K list.
A simple 5-minute routine
- Read 3 cards together. Say each word and use it in a short sentence.
- Trace 2 rows on the worksheet, starting at the green dots.
- Find one word in a book you are already reading.
Kids learn these words at different speeds. If you have concerns about reading, ask your child's teacher or pediatrician.
More handwriting practice
If a letter inside a word keeps going wrong, practice it on its own with our letter tracing worksheets, then come back to the word. For a word that matters even more to your child, make a name tracing worksheet.