The right age for typing
Although the general recommendation is to start around the age of 8, we understand that every child is unique. To start a typing course your child needs solid basic reading and writing skills, because a typing course involves a great deal of reading and typing. It also helps enormously if their hands are big enough to reach all the letters. Finally, concentration and motivation are very important for completing a typing course successfully. Below we explain each of these aspects in a little more detail. After reading this you will be able to decide what the right age is for your child to start typing.
Basic reading and writing skills
It is important that your child can read and write well before they start typing. Typing revolves around letters, words and sentence structure. So if your child is comfortable with reading and writing, it is the right moment to start a typing course. If your child has dyslexia, or finds reading difficult, you can choose a typing course with a special dyslexia version in which words are read aloud, more time is given for reading, or special dyslexia fonts are used. Read more here about what dyslexia fonts are. At TypeMission children can make use of extra time and all texts are shown in a dyslexia font.
Concentration, with short and focused lessons
Typing requires concentration. In the beginning your child has to think actively about where the various keys are. Over time muscle memory develops, so your child hits the right keys without thinking. That takes time, which is why typing courses usually last at least 20 weeks. By practising briefly every day, your child develops that muscle memory quickly. Our lessons are designed as modules of about 10-15 minutes a day, so children stay focused for the whole module. Does your child have a longer attention span? Then they can carry on with the next module. If you are not sure whether your child has enough concentration to type for 10-15 minutes, we recommend trying the trial lesson first. You can play it together with your child here.
Motivation is the key to success
Motivation is crucial. If your children are not motivated themselves, you have to chase them every single time, which causes a lot of frustration for you and for your child. That is exactly why we at TypeMission have done everything we can to motivate your child to finish the course. We do this through exciting stories, typing games, points and a “shop” where they can spend the points they have earned. These motivational methods are also known as gamification. Through gamification we make sure your child wants to complete the course.
It also helps if your child genuinely wants to learn to type. In today's world children have to work on the computer from a young age. So if your child already has to do schoolwork on the computer, this is the moment to start a typing course. Your child will notice for themselves that touch typing means computer homework is finished much sooner. Do bear in mind: make sure your child starts a typing course before the pile of homework grows so high that there is no time left for it.
Conclusion
So when should your child start a typing course? That depends very much on your child, but in general we see children starting between the ages of 8 and 13. However, that is not a strict age. It is even a good idea to familiarise young children with the keyboard, even if they have not yet developed all the motor skills. Typing is a valuable skill that prepares children for the digital world and helps develop their reading, writing and typing abilities. Not convinced yet? Then have a look here at the 10 benefits of a typing course for children.