At what age do you teach your kids to type?

[gandpsmommy]

And what program/software do you use?

[beansprouts]

I am using the Mavis Beacon software with 9 1/2 year old dd this year. She is learning Microsoft Word for science, so it seemed logical she should also learn to type.

[Virginia Dawn]

I have my kids start formal typing lessons in 6th grade and we use Mavis Beacon and Typing Tutor. They are require to practice 15-20 min. a day till they reach 60wpm with few errors. That is usually somewhere around 8th grade.

[wagnfun]

And what program/software do you use?


Wellll we use Sponge Bob by Scholastic. My first started when he was in 4th grade b/c he liked the games. Once you let them online to play games or email friends, they pick it up fairly quickly.

[danielle]

3rd grade with Timon and Pumba. Now in 9th grade, she thanks me frequently for how much faster she can type on googletalk, IM, and her message boards.:001_rolleyes: Be careful what you wish for!
Danielle

[VaKim]

3rd grade with Timon and Pumba.

Same here. :)

[MeganP]

My 5th grader is using Typing Instructor Deluxe right now.

I tried getting my older ds to learn to type, but met with resistance and decided that it wasn't a hill I wanted to die on, so to speak. Maybe I can entice him with the knowledge that it will speed him up on all those instant messaging things he loves so much!

[emeraldjoy]

I submitted a post very similar to yours a few weeks ago and promptly started my 9 1/2 and almost 8 year olds on the recommended site (below). It has only been a few weeks but they (a boy and girl) both love it and continuously ask me to practice. Keep in mind that they have an EXTREMLY limited amount of computer time and this is sort of a treat for them. They both seem to be rapidly progressing with it, although a bit too early to tell the outcome.
OH yeah, and it FREE!!!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

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[cin]

We have JUST started dd, 7 with some kind of typing game. I don't remember what it is called. It's fun though.

[Jean in Newcastle]

3rd grade - Mavis Beacon.

[~Tara~]

Thanks for bringing this up..I saw the previous thread but kept forgetting to go back to it. I have bookmarked that link now and will start next week. That looks great. Simple. :)

[Sebastian (a lady)]

I am using the Mavis Beacon software with 9 1/2 year old dd this year. She is learning Microsoft Word for science, so it seemed logical she should also learn to type.

I was impressed with Mavis Beacon too, although it's a subject we've let lapse for a while.

I think that there are plenty of kids who are capable of typing well at upper elementary age. On the other hand, I didn't start learning until 9th-10th grade and I could type around 90 wpm. So it isn't a skill that you need to emphasize learning early. (In other words, if I had to choose between a language and typing, typing would lose.)

[Crissy]

When their hands are big enough to move around the keyboard comfortably.
With both of my guys, that's been around 3rd or 4th grade.

[magistramom]

Third grade.
Typer Shark (can immediately be downloaded to your computer)

[ChocolatePrincess]

My ds started in the middle of 3rd grade (age 8)......I have him type 4-5 days a week for 20 minutes a day. He was doing fairly well last spring and then we dropped it this summer. After 5 weeks of school this year he is typing 33wpm. I'm pleased with this program.

[mommylawyer]

I got Mavis Beacon for free (after rebates, of course) to use with my kids when they're around eight or so.