How important is it for your kids to learn touch typing? Well, consider this—the average person types at 38 to 40 words per minute (wpm). Doesn’t sound too shabby, eh?
But we speak in friendly conversation at 110-150 wpm. We can listen at 450 wpm. Hey, I know this is possible because I have a kid whose talking speed is set to that. And, by some scientists’ estimates, we think at the blistering rate of 1000 to 3000 wpm!
Typing at 40 wpm doesn’t sound so fast anymore, does it?
I know how important fast and effortless typing is because I am (was previously) a transcriptionist, who needed to type at the speed that people talk, and (am currently) a writer, who desperately needs to pour the words onto the screen as I think them. So, touch typing is a must-teach subject in our homeschool. I know the benefits of automating this skill, and hunt-and-peck-typists my kids will not be!
Enter KidzType! I was really excited to recently discover this website. This is the year I want to begin typing practice with my third-grader. Let me tell you why she loves it so much (and begs to use it) and why I am so thankful to have found it.
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Using Typing Games to Teach Touch Typing
First, if you’re wondering what “touch typing” is anyway—*raises hand* I did, even though I do it all the time—here is a short video to explain it.
The thing my daughter loves so much about KidzType is that it teaches touch typing through typing games, rather than just drills.
Because how are ninjas and zombies not a gazillion times more fun than that lame quick brown fox and lazy dog???
And we all know that when kids are engaged and having fun, that is where the learning magic happens!
Find More Resources for Teaching Life Skills
It’s even great for my preschooler who, of course, has to do whatever her big sister is doing. The Typing Balloon game is perfect for her because she practices matching the lowercase letters on the balloons to the uppercase letters on the keyboard. (Homeschooling adaptation win!)
Which brings me to what I love about KidzType . . .
Benefits of Kidztype Typing Games
KidzType offers a ton of resources, in addition to the typing games, like:
These tools make it really easy for her to practice particular areas of weakness and challenge herself as she improves. I love that their resources go from super-beginner to quite advanced.
Which reminds me . . .
Check Out TypeDojo for a Free Online Typing Test
If your kiddo has been typing for a while and you’re not sure what level they’re on, check out KidzType’s sister site, TypeDojo. You can have them take a short typing test to check their skills and help you pick suitable games, practices, and exercises for them on KidzType.
We have had so much fun with these websites since I discovered them! My daughter loves challenging me in the games. And I love that she is improving her typing skills with no lesson plans, no paying for access, and no complaints about practicing.
Now, go bookmark KidzType and TypeDojo and check out the typing games while you’re there. You will want to play them too!
