typing skills for 1st.

Motor skills should be a concern - I remember reading in several places that third grade is about when the hands get big enough and the motor skills get refined enough. Possibly a visit to the ERIC database (http://ericir.syr.edu — no www ) and a search for “keyboarding” would bring up sources.

THere is a neat program called REad, Write and Type that uses keyboarding to connect sound/symbol associations; when I did a totally informal survey of parents asking “so what’s your favorite educational software?” it got easily double the mention of any other program. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that it’s designed by educational professionals, not marketing whizzes :) It’s at www.readwritetype.com.

My son began typing in first grade and learned using Read, Write and Type. He did not become really proficient until late third grade. On the advice of an occupational therapist, we did not insist that he type “properly” when doing his school work, so as not to discourage him from simply getting comfortable with using a keyboard. We did make sure he had regular practice with touch typing and, when he was ready for it, he began to use it on his own. My son has very poor fine motor skills but is able to accurately type 40 words per minute.

Andrea

I was a computer teacher. I was willing to try and some teachers saw their kids make progress. But I prefer waiting til 2nd & 3rd because their fingers and md are not mature enough.

I have seen the Read, Write and whatever program and for most typical kids it is fine, but with the LD kids it is to much. We are asking them to learn the motor skill of typing (which most already have some level of motor development issues) and then to multi-task the phomic stuff. I would not do it. I suggest to teachers and parents to take their child to the computer store and let them select one. The key is the student has to be motivated to use the program and if it is of their favoriate theme/topic it will more likely be used.

Typing programs are good for all kids even if you do not promote standard touch typing skills. Completetion of the program also teaches frequent letter combinations which are as important.

There are special keyboards that can be puchased at most computer stores for young children or people who have small hands. The keys are smaller which brings them closer together. If you want to start with touch typing for young kids check out these keyboards. One school I spoke with were going to put them in all of their k-1 classrooms.

Tami

Our school uses Type to Learn Jr. in 1st grade. from what I know of the program it focuses more on the letters and where they are located than on the sounds….at least in the beginning levels. It also color codes the keyboard which is very helpful for LD who need the visual cue!