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Learning to Type While it may not be that long in the future before voice recognition software makes typing obsolete, children who are in school now definitely need to pick up this manual skill. But the question of when a child should learn how to type still comes up over and over again. Research shows that before third grade or so children's hands aren't really big enough to stretch across the keyboard. Until then, it is fine for kids to use the "hunt and peck" approach to typing. Adults often find this painful to watch, but for short periods or the typing of a few sentences, it is actually good letter recognition practice. At the beginning stage of typing or in trying to do very simple homework projects (projects a few sentences in length) on the computer, a talking word processor can be a lot of fun and very useful in stimulating kids to write more. Writing Blaster (part of the Blaster Learning System 3 R's Reading/Writing/Math Ages 9-12) by Ingram Microfrom is one popular and inexpensive title in this genre. With lots of graphics, story starter ideas, and even a means for kids to record their own voice reading their writing, young authors can quickly start to compose more on their own. It also has an amazing side effect -kids become more cognizant of their spelling as the computer reads back to them what they have written. Once your child has begun writing regularly on the computer, it's time to think about a more systematic method in learning how to type. Many schools give students an opportunity to use typing software, perhaps once or twice a week, beginning anywhere from 3rd grade on up. For some youngsters, these few lessons at school may be enough to help them pick up speed and accuracy. But others may need more consistent instruction, and that's where a "learn-to-type" program at home can help. (Note that the following programs have most appeal for kids 10 and under). Before you start researching your options, find out if your child gets keyboarding practice in school and if so, whether she likes the program she uses there. If she does, get that one if there is an affordable home version available. If you want to find something different, look around a bit and ask other parents if they can suggest any titles. You can't really go too wrong because the how-tos of typing tend to be pretty consistent from program to program: they all provide a sequence of lessons and practice drills that teach finger placement and build speed and accuracy. What differs is the "window dressing." Some CD-ROMs dress up their drills with video-game action such as JumpStart Typing for ages 7-10 from Knowledge Adventure and Disney's Adventures in Typing with Timon & Pumbaa for ages 6 to 18. Others weave typing into sports such as All Star Typing 9-12 from The Learning Company. To get some educational benefit from the time youngsters spend with a typing program, consider the home version of Type to Learn for ages 8-14 from Sunburst Communications. It challenges kids to think about such subjects as spelling, geography, and social studies while they practice typing. The exercise in using the Shift key, for example, couples capitalization with the capitals of states and countries. Another option, Typing Tutor, for ages 8 and up from MacMillan Publishing, takes its practice passages from real books. Whatever program you choose, be prepared for some complaints. Practicing A-F-J-I can be a bore, even with the visual pizzazz of a CD-ROMs. To help kids stick with it long enough to develop sufficient skill, you might try some of these ideas:
Tip: Two companies produce the most popular and easy-to-use titles. Dragon Systems offers the Naturally Speaking series (Windows only) and IBM sells Via Voice (available in editions for both Macintosh and Windows).
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