workingmom Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 DS 10 has done BBC typing and Typing Instructor and while he knows the positions of the keys he isn't very fast. I have to admit I don't give him weekly assignments. Is there something you do to make sure they keep practicing? What type of things should I have him type up? I see this same pattern in DS 7 who's also done BBC Dance Mat and now starting Typing Instructor? This is one of those goals I want to solidify for middle school. I've seen some kids type their writing assignments (fiction short stories directly from their ideas) We're not there yet, which I think he's still young for but I'd like to have some fun way he can practice typing a few times a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomatHWTK Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 I didn't get fast until I started typing assignments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maisy Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 What I did for my 3 (who were 11, 9, & 7 at the time) was just require that they do the program of their choice (Dance Mat or Instructor) for 15-30 minutes most every day. It was frustrating for the youngest at first, but now at the age of 9 he can type probably 50-55 words a minute. I let them type some brief assignments for fun if they wanted to, but never required it. Short answer--I don't think it's the number of programs they use, but rather encouraging consistent practice with one they enjoy. BTW--they hated Typing Instructor until they became for proficient. They spent a lot of early time on Dance Mat. Good luck! Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamee Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 I never had any formal typing instruction, but agree, it wasn't until I started typing out papers and reports that my speed improved. (I actually credit my Physiology lab in high school for my typing instruction:lol:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom22ns Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Typing requires daily or at least nearly daily practice in order to become proficient. Have them type 15-30 min/day at least 3 days/week. There are many typing games they can use until they start getting faster to make this more fun. Once they can type 30-40 wpm then you really want to switch to typing paragraphs instead of letters or words as found in most games. Typing their own writing is great practice. If you are doing narrations, or other writing, let them type it, either instead of or after they write it (depending on how much they need to work on their handwriting ;)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillehei Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 What I did for my 3 (who were 11, 9, & 7 at the time) was just require that they do the program of their choice (Dance Mat or Instructor) for 15-30 minutes most every day. It was frustrating for the youngest at first, but now at the age of 9 he can type probably 50-55 words a minute. I let them type some brief assignments for fun if they wanted to, but never required it. Short answer--I don't think it's the number of programs they use, but rather encouraging consistent practice with one they enjoy. BTW--they hated Typing Instructor until they became for proficient. They spent a lot of early time on Dance Mat. Good luck! Lisa I also have my dc do Typing Instructor every school day. They just keep going through the games to see how fast they can get. I also have them type writing assignments. They are getting good! They are 11 and 9 and have been using the program since August. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 When I took a keyboard class in high school we, well, typed. We typed for 40 mins, 5 days a week. My son is only half way through the BBC typing 'games' but I have started asking him to type out his WWE2 assignments where appropriate. Next, I will start asking him to type history essays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 My dd never took off till I switched the keyboard layout. In her case, she's just not good with fine motor. The regular QWERTY keyboard layout involves midline crossing and lots of up and down. The Dvorak keyboard layout keeps the most essential keys on the middle row, meaning they move their fingers very little but the typing gets done. She started at 14 wpm before Christmas (QWERTY) and is now at 37 wpm this week. Pretty astounding, eh? I also gave her an account on the computer, with her own email, etc. She was very motivated by the email account, and having it as a separate account made it easy to select the Dvorak keyboard for her account and the regular QWERTY for mine. We also use Mavis Beacon. Dvorak for us was a miracle. She bucked it (and it left my dh wondering if I was crazy!), but now she wouldn't go back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyCamper Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 DD practices 15 minutes every day with the same program (Type to Learn). I don't think it is the program so much as a little practice every day until they get where the parent/child wants to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workingmom Posted March 28, 2012 Author Share Posted March 28, 2012 OK so my one day a week isn't cutting it :) OK I will have to focus on the summer to get 15 min a day instilled. Thanks needed to hear the logistics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Short answer--I don't think it's the number of programs they use, but rather encouraging consistent practice with one they enjoy. :iagree: My kids also started with Dance Mat and then moved to Typing Instructor. They got proficient pretty fast after they moved to TI, but they played the games a lot (at that time it was pretty much the only computer game allowed), and they also had a writing course that year, and they started typing their own papers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAR120C Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 Once DS knew the positions of the keys we stopped using the typing program, and I made him a card with the keyboard (colored in to remind him which fingers went with which block of keys) and he typed. A lot. That made a whole lot more difference than the games and exercises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErinE Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 DS 10 has done BBC typing and Typing Instructor and while he knows the positions of the keys he isn't very fast. I have to admit I don't give him weekly assignments. Is there something you do to make sure they keep practicing? What type of things should I have him type up? I see this same pattern in DS 7 who's also done BBC Dance Mat and now starting Typing Instructor? This is one of those goals I want to solidify for middle school. I've seen some kids type their writing assignments (fiction short stories directly from their ideas) We're not there yet, which I think he's still young for but I'd like to have some fun way he can practice typing a few times a week. Type. Type, type, type, type, type. Games, assignments, whatever. But he should type every day. Even after years of typing experience, I've noticed my speed slows when I've not typed for awhile. I also recommend getting him started on a computer language. He can learn computer language AND improve his typing skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyontheFarm Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 My kids plug in 20 minutes of practice, six days a week. We use Mavis Beacon. My ds11 has large and fine motor delays, so getting him typing everything on the computer and away from pencil and pen is a high priority. I can barely read his actual printing, and at times he can't read it either which makes it very difficult for him to do L.A. and write stories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.