Keyboarding progarm for a first grader?

[Mama2Three]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a keyboarding program for a first grader? DS has some fine motor delays, and his hand will get tired from writing. I plan to let him use the computer more for writing. I have some concerns about letting him "hunt and peck" for too long, that it might create bad habits down the road when he learns how to properly type. But then with his delays, perhaps it is too soon to learn keyboarding?

I can do narration with him at home (and skip the writing altogether), but this would also be for ps.

Suggestions?

[JudoMom]

We've got Typing Instructor Deluxe and my boys enjoy it.

[Dawn in OH]

When my 5 year old announced she wanted to learn to type I was stunned. So I began looking on the internet for a typing program she could play with, thinking at age 5, she wouldn't stick with it very long.

I found http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/ which is filled with cartoon like characters and directed at young kids. She loved it! She's 6 now and still asks to do her typing and is coming along very well. It's really pretty silly, but it seems to work.

[KellyGirl]

My ds was in ps 2nd grade, and it was decided that he should learn to type because of some vision problems and poor handwriting. The vision teacher used the bbc website "Dance Mat Typing". It's free, and he likes it. He is home now (in 4th grade) and I am having him go through it again to solidify his skills as he still prefers hunt and peck.

I also have a 4yo who can read well and he is learning to type with it too. My one complaint is that for him, the lessons are a little long, and if you stop in the middle of a lesson you have to start it over next time. That means that I have to type him up to where he left off and sit through all the little animations as they can't be skipped. But it's free and it works. They both beg to do their typing lessons!

[athena1277]

The dance mat typing looks great. Has anyone's dc had trouble learning at 5-6 yrs because of having smaller hands? Does this cause trouble or frustrations?

[Mommytotwo]

My son is 6 and he loves the dance mat typing. He doesn't go super fast because his fingers are smaller (and he is learning) but he loves the funny voices and the creatures and the fact that he can see himself progress through the lesson as he "breaks the records" or "smashes the shells". I was really excited when I found this program online. Finally a good program that doesn't cost an arm and a leg!
Julie

[Mama2Three]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm off to check out the bbc website. :)

[mims]

I will have to say that for my kids that was way to young. The public school started them in first grade and so when I brought them home I kept with it. Now that the older ones are 6th and 8th I can see that they didn't really make any significant progress until about 4th grade. I now think for them it was a waste of time and effort. Just my observations!