b and d are mirror images, and so are p and q. They are the letters children flip most. A simple rule helps: d begins with c, and c comes before d in the alphabet.
| Letter | First stroke | Then |
|---|---|---|
| b | a tall line down | back up and around into the bump |
| d | a c curve, closed | a tall line down on the right |
| p | a line down below the baseline | back up and around into the bump |
| q | a c curve, closed | a line down below the baseline |
Key idea
b and p: line first. d and q: c first.
Why it works
When you always start the same way, the letter can’t come out backward. The capital B also starts with a line, from Capitals with Curves.
Worked example: Write dad
How do you start each d in dad?
- d: start with c, close it, then the tall line down.
- a: start with c, close it, then a short line down.
- d: c again, then the tall line.
Answer: Every letter in dad starts with c.
Common mistake
Writing b for d (or p for q). Check by asking: did this letter start with a line or with c?
For the grown-up. Flipping b and d is very common in young writers and usually fades with practice. Saying “d begins with c” while writing helps more than correcting finished words.