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This summer on the Imagination Soup Facebook Page, a video of J.K. Rowlings typing at super-fast speed started a conversation about teaching kids to type. Twitter and Facebook friends offered suggestions of their children’s favorite typing programs. Here they are, typing programs for kids recommended by readers.
BBC Dancemat Typing School
Dance Mat Typing is a free BBC program that many readers recommend.
Mavis Beacon Teaches Kidz
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing is a computer program that retails for $29.99. Also, try Mavis Beacon’s Keyboarding Kidz for $19.99. Play the Mavis Beacon FREE typing game.
Typing Instructor for Kids sells for $5.45 at Amazon.
Jumpstart Typing
Jumpstart Typing is $12.99 at Amazon.
Garfield's Typing Pal
Typing Pal is a free, basic typing course but for a more kid-friendly program, you can buy Garfield’s Typing Pal for $19.95.
The Book Chook recommends Type for Gold online.
When Should You Teach a Child to Type?
Typing should be a skill like riding a bike – essential! Consider how typing well lets you get your thoughts on paper faster and a number of other benefits. (Like working as a temp through graduate school and making good money!) And, in our tech oriented society, typing sets you up for success.
I think it’s best to wait until kids hands are big enough to reach the keys on the keyboard, probably around 8 or 9 years old. Personally, I took a high school class in typing but I don’t think high schools offer those classes anymore. Do they?
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What typing programs do you use?
When did you start with your kids?
Links
NEW Recommended Middle Grade Books
Writing in Secret Codes and Cyphers
What Worked for My Reluctant Reader (Guest Post)
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Melissa Taylor is a mom and educator from Denver who is passionate about playful learning. Thanks for visiting the site!
12 Comments
Thanks! I may have to start my daughter. I learned to type during the summer while I was in high school and while at the time, I hated it, now, I’m greatly appreciative I was forced to do it. It has served me well.
Me, too!!
Awesome article! We’ve been looking for programs for our Aspie boy! He often thinks quicker than he can get info down! I’ll be looking at these!
We are teaching my 7 year-old who has Dyslexia how to type. She knows what the home row is and where to put her fingers. She is working on learning all the keys. Typing is an invaluable tool for a child with Dyslexia.
Marie,
I didn’t know that – thanks for sharing!
Thank you for this post. My brother in law just asked me about keyboarding apps and I had no idea. I’ll pass this on to him (and use for my kids). Keyboarding is going to be more important than cursive these days!
So true, it’s a life skill, isn’t it?
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I found a Type to Learn jr. disc at a used store. My kids loved it. Thanks for more ideas. I’ve been thinking about getting them back into practicing.
My kids are 8, 8, and 10. I’d like to get them more automatic at using the keyboard.
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