shortcake1 Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 I am looking for a reputable typing program for my rising 2nd grader. I've seen several online that are free but my concern is commercials and pop-ups. We don't yet have an internet filter (he's our oldest and hasn't begun to use the web independently yet). Trying to figure if its best to invest in an internet filter and then use a free typing program or just buy one to load on our computer. Any recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veggiegal Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Dance Mat Typing from the BBC is ad-free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penny_P Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Dance Mat Typing from the BBC is ad-free. :iagree: It's a great starting place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkdkidsmom Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Last year we purchased Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing for around $6. It was an older version, but still does the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tullyfamily Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 We own & use Rod & Staff's typing. ("Typing for Christian Service") I've really liked it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Dance Mat Typing from the BBC is ad-free. :iagree: For a 2nd grader I think the BBC's Dance Mat is a great place to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela H in Texas Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Dance Mat is probably the best age wise. But pretty much anything will work. They all do very similarly. EXCEPT, my mom (an occupational therapist) teaches children by: abcdefg with the left hand hijklmnop with the right qrst (left) uvwxyz (mixed) Seems it is easier for 7yr olds to remember their alphabet than random keys :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gswhitfield21 Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 We've used Learn to Type. It is very no-fuss, no-frills and has worked well for my oldest. I haven't started my younger yet. My ds, 12, never liked the game-based programs, so I found this website http://www.typingweb.com/tutor/courses/ and he is doing very well now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxing Hare Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 We use Typing Instructor for Kids. It was kinda pricey, but had the best reviews. I would also recommend buying a skin (cover) for the keys so they can't peak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satori Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Dance Mat Typing is fun but once that's done, you may want to continue on with a more robust and complete program. We've tried Dance Mat Typing, Typing Instructor for Kids, Type to Learn, and Mavis Beacon Kids. Typing Instructor for Kids is fun but the amount of typing required overwhelmed my daughter after coming from Dance Mat Typing. My favorite would be Mavis Beacon for Kids, it feels very complete and I like the reports. My daughter wants me to buy Type to Learn (they have a generous 30-day trial). I'll probably buy it from HSBC and then we'll continue with that program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floyd Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 We thought Typing Instructor for Kids would be too busy, so we got Typing Quick & Easy from the same company. Good mix of instruction, typing practice, and a few games. Our 7yo is just about done with the complete training plan at 10wpm, and for 2nd grade we will have her go through it again at 20wpm. I like that the program will grow with her without seeming too childlike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortcake1 Posted June 9, 2011 Author Share Posted June 9, 2011 We use Typing Instructor for Kids. It was kinda pricey, but had the best reviews. I would also recommend buying a skin (cover) for the keys so they can't peak. oh i like the recommendation of buying a skin...never thought of that. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SorrelZG Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 My 5yo is enjoying Tux Typing. It doesn't appear to be very frilly. It's free. You can get it for Windows or Mac if you don't have Linux. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikdeb Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Afa a skin goes, somewhere (I think on here) I heard the tip to put a towel over their hands. That's what we're doing with our 8yo rather than buying a skin, and it's working great, for free. We are starting with DanceMat and planning to move onto something else as well, when he has proficiency in all the levels (I am timing how long each one takes and watching him to determine when to move on). Typing Instructor for Kids was too busy and distracting - instead of trying to type fast, he spent forever looking at hte graphics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stellalarella Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Dance Mat is probably the best age wise. But pretty much anything will work. They all do very similarly. EXCEPT, my mom (an occupational therapist) teaches children by: abcdefg with the left hand hijklmnop with the right qrst (left) uvwxyz (mixed) Seems it is easier for 7yr olds to remember their alphabet than random keys :) Thank you for this tip!:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 You can get Typing Instructor for Kids for only $9 at this site. I just bought it a couple of months ago, and my dd6 loves it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satori Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 TypeRightNow looks interesting, with average 5-stars out of 31 reviews. It even inclues the PeekProof cover. You can also get the cover separately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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