While schools are already integrating computers into their classroom curriculum and many teachers are doing a fine job teaching their students how to type effectively, many schools don’t still don’t consider ways to enhance their students’ typing skills.
If your child is going to use the keyboard as a practical supplement or alternative to their handwriting skills at school and home, they must learn the appropriate skills of using this technology for them to become more keyboard fluent. Here, you’ll learn some keyboard modifications to help your child with their typing skills.
1. Don’t Rush the Process
Your child will be learning how to type by mastering one key on the keyboard at a time and by practicing:
- Words
- Phrases
- Letter combinations
- Complete sentences
Some kids learn the skill quicker than others, therefore it’s essential you allow your child to learn at their own pace.
2. Teach Them Proper Position and Posture
Just like working to improve handwriting skills, it can’t be emphasized enough the importance of good positioning and posture. It’s particularly important you monitor positioning and posture in your child when they’re young since their still growing and might need adjustments to the height of their chairs and tables periodically. The earlier you can introduce and instill good positioning and posture, the easier it will be for your child to implement them throughout their life.
3. Use Stickers for the Home Row Keys
Place pieces of tape or stickers on the home row keys of your child’s keyboard. This will let them see and better control which finger goes on which letter when they’re first beginning to master the keyboard.
4. Try Typing Games
You’ll find numerous keyboard typing games online to help your child learn how to type effectively. Many kids enjoy learning how to type since they’ll take this skill with them to school and college. Many of the typing games you’ll find online are free to download. Many schools are using typing games in their curriculum. You might even be able to get a list of helpful typing games from your child’s teacher or pediatric occupational therapist.
5. Cover Their Hands
Place a piece of paper over your child’s hands when they’re practicing typing to cover the keys up. You’ll need a piece of tape to secure the paper to the top of the keyboard. By doing this, you’re essentially teaching your child how to use their replace their visual sense with their kinesthetic sense while they type. At first, your child will likely type slow as they attempt to memorize the keys, but as they practice, they’ll increase their speed and fluency of their typing.
These are just some keyboarding modifications and typing tips to help your child learn to type. There are plenty of things you can do. Even sitting down with your child’s school teacher for suggestions or to work together to come up with ideas to enhance your child’s typing skills can do wonders.