When children are learning to write, they tend to grip writing utensils with their hands. This is a more comfortable way for them to hold the pencil, but it does not allow them to control it enough to write or draw recognizable characters. Begin teaching them to write by helping them practice gripping the pencil with their fingers instead. Also make sure that your child is writing from left to right, moving from one letter to the next in the correct sequence.
One easy way to create a tracing page for your child is by using a highlighter to carefully write his name on the paper several times. Use lined paper and keep his name inside the lines so that he will practice writing in the manner he will need to in school. After he has practiced tracing the name several times, begin to allow space at the bottom of the page for practice without tracing.
Drawing dotted lines on a paper is also an effective way to create a tracing paper for your child to use to learn to write his name. Use a pen or marker to make dotted lines in the shape of your child's name, and then have him use a marker to trace along the lines. Some letters, such as lowercase "i" and lowercase "e" can be a little more difficult to trace because of their odd shapes, so help your child shape them the first few times.
One fun, but sometimes messy, way to help your child learn to write is by using sand. Pour sand into a tray or onto a flat surface and use a stick to write your child's name. Allow your child to trace his name several times. The great things about sand are that it is so easy to erase letters just by shifting the sand with your hand, and that it also creates a wonderful sensory experience for your child.