Acadie Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 (edited) Dd11 loves to write. I introduced her to Dancemat typing at the same age as her older sister, but by that time she was already hunting and pecking fairly quickly. After that, Typing.com really frustrated her because she kept trying to go for speed and sacrificed finger position to do it. Then I dropped the ball for a couple years and she got even faster, but I feel like I need to teach her properly, especially because she loves writing and her future career will probably involve writing. Anyone else succeed at reteaching a middle grade child who was fairly quick at hunt-and-peck but needed to learn proper positioning and technique? Would love any recommendations for programs that appeal to older children and don't jump too quickly to speed drills. She does love animals, so a program with cute animal graphics for younger kids just might work. Thanks, Amy Edited October 30, 2017 by Acadie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 If she mostly does hunt-and-peck then what you really need to do is get a plain keyboard cover that conceals the letters on the keys. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acadie Posted October 30, 2017 Author Share Posted October 30, 2017 If she mostly does hunt-and-peck then what you really need to do is get a plain keyboard cover that conceals the letters on the keys. Brilliant--I had no idea! If anyone knows of a program that might appeal to older kid with our new keyboard cover, please let me know :) Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homebody2 Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 Brilliant--I had no idea! If anyone knows of a program that might appeal to older kid with our new keyboard cover, please let me know :) Amy This is so old school, but it was exactly what I was looking for. It's actually a book! I didn't want to use a computer program. We use it with our keyboard cover, and my 11 year old is doing well. It's totally how I learned to type on an electric typewriter. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1576907643?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 Not a program, but good for practice once she knows how to type is, Epistory 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 I'd put her back in Dance Mat Typing, but cover the keyboard with a box. If she hunts and pecks she has a good idea of where the keys are with or without letters on them, but covering her hands makes her use touch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acadie Posted October 31, 2017 Author Share Posted October 31, 2017 Thank you so much, everyone--I can't believe what a relief it is to hear your suggestions and solutions! Apparently this is one of those unresolved issues that was a background stressor in my life, and I'm ridiculously happy to have practical ways to approach it. Also, dd11 was not on board for trying something new until I showed her how fast I can type without looking at the screen or the keyboard. She was blown away by this superpower and, as a writer, wants the same for herself. Now I'm thinking I need to send all my unresolved issues to the Hive for speedy and practical resolution :) Amy 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 If she mostly does hunt-and-peck then what you really need to do is get a plain keyboard cover that conceals the letters on the keys. Oh, I need that! I am a speedy hunt-and-peck person. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy the Valiant Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Also, at our house, there's a fairly desirable reward waiting for each kid who achieves 40 wpm (standard typing speed). :) Maybe an encouraging goal to work toward, too? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raifta Posted November 3, 2017 Share Posted November 3, 2017 We are using Burning Cargo this year, which is going much better than their previous program (typing.com I think). They started with DanceMat before this. Burning Cargo is free, which is a bonus as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipitous journey Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 (edited) Thank you for this thread, OP & everybody! I took me a bit to find a cover for our keyboard, so I thought I'd link the Mac keyboard cover site I found. We don't have this in hand yet, so can't review, but I am hopeful! Edited November 6, 2017 by serendipitous journey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Twain Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 I second Burning Cargo. It is fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamamoose Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 I really like typing instructor and all 3 kids do too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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