Homeschooling my children allows us to follow their interests and passions, and gives them a freedom to learn what they want to. In the past, this approach has lead us down many fascinating avenues, and this year my eldest son asked me if he could learn touch typing! I was delighted to discover the online programme TypeKids and couldn’t wait to begin using it in our homeschool!
My family was gifted full access to TypeKids for review, and I compensated for my time.
Why Teach Touch Typing?
The primary reason we are teaching touch typing in our homechool this year is because my son wanted to learn it!
In the near future, we hope to utilize his typing skills in our homeschool by allowing him to type some of his narrations and the special study units that we do as part of our Charlotte Mason curriculum.
In his future, I believe touch typing will be a necessary skill if he wants to attend college or university. Similarly, most professions today will require some skill in typing and computing.
Thankfully, once you learn to touch type, you know it forever (assuming you practice the skill regularly)! It’s a bit like riding a bike!
Using TypeKids
TypeKids is an online touch typing course for children, that has been creating with the aim of being “The Most Fun Course in the World!”
The course is pirate-themed…which (of course) my son loves! It uses a combination of exercises, reviews and games to teach children to type efficiently and accurately. He especially enjoys being rewarded for his success with special badges and access to new games!
I remember the programme I used to learn typing and (without saying too much and giving my age away!) this course worlds apart from that archaic programme! It is colourful, fun, entertaining and my son looks forward to using it.
TypeKids for your Homeschool
We use TypeKids just once a week as part of our homeschool schedule for just 10-15 minutes. However, as the parent, you are given the freedom to decide yourself how often your children will access the course.
One of the huge benefits for us is that TypeKids is easy for my son (8 years-old) to navigate independently. This means I am free to work one-on-one with my younger son on another subject when his needs my focused attention.
As lessons are completed, TypeKids send parents progress reports via email, so that you can keep track with how you child is doing with the programme. You could even print out these reports to add to your homeschool records.
TypeKids is a fantastic programme for those of you who are looking for a fun approach to teaching touch typing. For more information visit TypeKids.com
They currently have a FREE TRIAL available so your children can try the first three lessons for FREE! If you would like to try it out, visit their website.
Do your children know how to touch type?
Do you consider it an important skill to learn?
What resources have you used to teach them to type?
Please share with us all in the comments below.
LATER EDIT 12/10/18
It has come to my attention that a character in Lesson 3 uses the word “dumb@*!” I was surprised that this word would be used in a children’s programme! However, I have not come across any other strong language in this touch typing course.
Peace and Love,
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