Having letters reversed are a common struggle for younger kids who are learning how to write. If you’ve ever noticed your child having a hard time distinguishing the letters n and u, you should know it is a common occurrence for kids in early elementary school and you’re not alone!

Black and white worksheets with n and u letter reversals lying on top of a blue-green sheet with multicolored letters on a light brown background.
n and u are one of the most common letter reversals.

N and U letter Reversal Activities

In this blog post, I will share a fun way to tackle this challenge – free printable n and u letter reversal worksheets. Click the green button to download the worksheets now:

Our free activity pack is a multisensory resource that includes 4 worksheets with different activities to help young learners address this letter confusion.

Why Do Kids Reverse Letters n and u?

The journey of letter recognition and correct letter formation involves many steps, and sometimes, young children might find different letters a bit confusing. The causes of letter reversals are many. For example, there are many similar-looking letters such as letters b and d, letters m and w, letters p and q, and of course, letters u and n.

Kids who reverse letters may also struggle with visual processing, working memory, and attention challenges. While writing reversed letters is a sign of dyslexia, it is certainly not the only sign. And letter reversals are extremely common as young kids are learning to read and write. (If you have concerns about dyslexia or other learning disabilities, you should always talk to your pediatrician.)

Related article: Is My Child Dyslexic?

Black and white worksheets with n and u letter reversals lying on top of blue-green and purple sheets with assorted crayons on a dark grey background.
Tackle those backwards letters with multi-sensory fun!

Where can I find more information about dyslexia?

You can find more information about the signs of dyslexia, what dyslexia is and is not, from the Mayo Clinic and at the International Dyslexia Association. I also really like this article about the Myths about Dyslexia.

Letters reversed? Keep the solution fun!

The best ways to help kids distinguish similar letters is through lots of handwriting practice, fun games, and multi-sensory activities. With a little bit of practice using these free worksheets, your learner will be on their way to mastering correct writing, visual discrimination, and proper letter formation.

At the end of this post, you will also find other great ideas to make tricky letters fun. Keep reading!

Screenshot of a black and white screenshot with n and u letter reversals
Try different letter combinations until you find the one that matches the picture!

n AND u TRACING PRACTICE

These worksheets have tracing practice – have your kiddo trace the letters and use visual cues to fill in the blanks with the correct letter.

Screenshot of a black and white screenshot with n and u letter reversals
Do you know the right reversal letter for each word?

CUT OUT AND MATCH UP n and u words

The first thing to do in this activity is have your child cut the n and u lowercase letters and then invite them to glue the correct letter on the images.

Screenshot of a black and white screenshot with n and u letter reversals
Let’s get some coloring fun too!

COLOR BY LETTER

Grab your crayons and color the picture with different colors according to the letters and your own color code, and see what figure is shown. Is it an n or a u? Be careful not to get your letters reversed!

Screenshot of a black and white screenshot with n and u letter reversals
Grab your foam or magnetic letters to create words!

READ IT & BUILD IT — watch for backward letters

Looking for a multi-sensory approach? This read-it-and-build-it activity is a fun way to use your magnetic or foam letters. Let your kid read the word and then build it using the letters.

Need help with other reversed letters?

Download other letter activity packs:

d and b

p and q

m and w

Understanding the importance of muscle memory and fine motor skills in writing is essential. Kids need to develop the muscles required for controlled hand movements. Our free worksheets offer a great way to engage kids in fun activities that enhance their fine motor skills, providing them with the tools they need to master letter formation.

MORE LETTER LEARNING RESOURCES FROM KIDS ACTIVITIES BLOG



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