At what age do you teach your kids to type?

[Aspasia]

Title says it all. :)

[FairProspects]

Starting at 7. But I have dysgraphics and typing is critical to their future work.

[Melissa B]

1st and 2nd grade it is a school subject. All four of my children were quite proficient at typing by that point.

[Desert Strawberry]

4th-5th grade. After printing and cursive.

[Matryoshka]

With my older two, I think they were in 4th grade?  But then younger wanted to do it too, and she was only about 6yo at the time.  They all ended up learning together.  I sometimes wonder if learning so very young hampered my younger dd's penmanship, as she didn't get the muscles built up from repeated practice (just the handwriting book isn't quite enough)...  her handwriting is finally getting a bit more legible... at 13yo.  She can type like a whiz, though!

 

I think there's no harm and some benefit till waiting till after their hand penmanship has been developed.  But it can be hard to make the younger ones wait!

[fourisenough]

Ages 8-9

[Wheres Toto]

I waited too late and my son was already typing quite fast when I started.  He hated slowing down to learn properly so I dropped it.  He types about 50 wpm using his own - all fingers - method.

[Matryoshka]

I waited too late and my son was already typing quite fast when I started.  He hated slowing down to learn properly so I dropped it.  He types about 50 wpm using his own - all fingers - method.

 

Well, I guess there's the harm in waiting!  How old was he by the time you started?

 

When my kids were little I strictly limited their free computer time, and started loosening up right about the time I had them learn typing, so they didn't have much reason to type quickly before then.

 

[Roadrunner]

Ages 8 and 9. 

We couldn't take online classes because of the lack of typing skills. I regret not starting earlier with my older son. 

[Wheres Toto]

I started trying to teach him around 7 but he'd already been playing Minecraft with family for about 6 months by that time.

[Grover]

age 5, once they were automatic on letter formation and beginning to use cursive.

[CrunchyGirl]

At the moment, 7. I'd prefer to wait but motor skills don't seem to be developing at the same rate as academic skills so typing is how we are going to keep moving forward.

 

[HS Mom in NC]

8 or 9

[cintinative]

We just started and mine are 7 and almost 9. I think my oldest would have benefited by my starting earlier. As mentioned, he is getting fast at the hunt and peck method.  =)

[Maela]

M is learning now at seven years old.

[Soror]

I think I started ds around 7ish and just did another program at just turned 10 and it seems we've finally got it all learned we just need to get faster.

[sbgrace]

I started at 10. I wanted cursive (and print) in place.

If I could rewind, I think I would begin younger. I wish we were at a touch typing speed to really use it, and I think that's going to take a while with one particularly.

[SKL]

My kids started learning in 2nd grade (brick and mortar school).  They haven't learned enough to type a whole sentence the "right way," but I was glad they got a start.  They also had/have a computer class once a week.

[Mommy_of_4]

My 5 and 7yr olds just started learning to type.

[Wabi Sabi]

Ds did Dance Mat typing last year at the very beginning of third grade but to be honest, playing Minecraft has done more to improve his typing abilities than anything else. 

[SeaConquest]

We are starting Dance Mat Typing this year with my DS5.

[Jess4879]

We started the kids with typing last year (10 & 8).  They are both using the computer a bit now and I didn't want them to gain bad habits, so we started with Typing Instructor.  I don't think typing is difficult to learn as an older student - in fact, it's probably easier, as your hands are larger and better able to reach the keys from the home row.  We are not really strict about doing typing every single day at this point, it's more of just an intro for us to get them started on the basics.

[Eagle]

Ds just started a month ago (age 6.5) and I am amazed at his progress. It was the perfect age to start for him. We are using the new Keyboarding Without Tears and I am very happy with it (after we got past the terrible installation procedure).

[kbernt]

6-8, and stress correct fingering. Also, once in a while cover the keyboard to see if they are learning by touch, not sight. (We have a "roll-out" keyboard drawer and so sometimes I roll it in so they can only see the screen).