Kidstyping.Net, Fast And Fun Way To Learn & Master Touch Typing.
dance mat typing all stages
Level 1 : Learn Home Row With E I R & U Keys
Level 2 : Learn Top Row With T Y W O Q & P Keys
Level 3 : Learn Bottom Row With V M B N C & Comma Keys
Level 4 : Learn Bottom Row With X . Z / & Shift Keys
It’s safe to say that nearly every job throughout the world today requires some form of typing proficiency. We primarily type letters, emails, marketing materials, and reports now, evident by schools electing to remove teaching cursive from their curriculum in recent years.
Naturally, kids aren’t born with an inherited skill to know how to touch type. It’s a skill they have to acquire over time with proper form and memory. With this new skill, kids are more likely to type with swiftness, which means this speed will translate into better schooling scores, higher education, and job placement.
Touch typing is the muscle memory of the hands that enables all 5 fingers to touch type letters, numbers, and so forth without the individual having to look at the keyboard. It is total proficiency in typing that could even occur while they sleep.
Here at Kidstyping.net, we are pursuing a form of game-based learning to teach kids typing without the pain and boringness of normal lessons. Through gaming, they won’t even realize they’re learning a new skill until it’s time to type for something important. We are a primary resource for the teachers of the world hoping to make typing fun and motivating for their students.
We do this by offering fun and effective ways to improve keyboarding and spelling through online games, like our dance mat typing app. We administer a variety of typing game genres, from action and dancing, to logic and racing, that will motivate the entire classroom to develop typing speed and accuracy with second-nature confidence. Through our games, students learn hand eye coordination and muscle memory that can’t be “lost” or “forgotten.” Simultaneously, they will perfect the art of typing while laughing, smiling, and collaborating with classmates. It’s a teacher’s dream come true.
So how have we created a system that makes typing fun?
Our games have proven to be an effective way for quick learning that occurs without any dissatisfaction. With each passing level in our games, students are challenged to a greater task ahead of them that comes with a reward at the end. This kind of reward for completing a challenge provides the student with a sense of confidence and personal self-esteem that motivates them to keep going. The incentive of receiving a reward, especially in front of one’s classmates, encourages students to work diligently and with seriousness as they advance through each gaming level.
Additionally, the rewards encourage students to keep going as the levels get progressively harder. Instead of giving up with frustration, students know what is waiting for them once they get it done, which is why they will continue to go through each round to accomplish their goal. For younger kids, our games have different settings, starting at rounds of just 30 seconds to ensure their attention spans are in-line. But for older children, the games can be turned up to 1-minute to challenge their attention and commitment to typing. After each round is completed, students are also provided with the ability to complete the same rounds over and over again in hopes of beating their current score for a higher score.
This kind of repetition disguised as a game is what reinforces the touch typing muscle memory in children of all ages.
Our Dance Mat Typing comes in 4 different levels that slowly goes through every part of the keyboard. Naturally, we start with the easiest to reach keys, including the home row of a, s, d, f, g, h, j, k, and l, while adding on e and I, then finally r and u, as part of the stages. Students can take their time and advance through each stage at a pace that is right for them. It’s important that they go slow and move at their own speed so they don’t feel haphazardly rushed. The basics of touch typing start with this home row, and will require stretching of their thumbs, pinkies, and so forth to develop the correct typing style.
Next, it’s time for level 2, which adds in first t and y, then w and o, then q and p. These are the “reach keys” on the top of the keyboard that can throw off typers with their ring and pinky fingers need to stretch to the far corners of the keyboard. After a fair amount of practice, and once they feel like they can reach these keys without any problems, it’s time to move onto level 3.
Level 3 is all about the bottom keys, first starting with v and m, moving to b and n, and finishing off with c and the comma button. The bottom portion of the keyboard will feel new and unusual to them as well, which is why they have three different levels they can play over and over again until they arrive at a typing confidence that is right for them.
Finally, level 4 completes our dance mat typing game, starting with x and ., moving to z and /, and finishing off with the shift button. This is the final test of a child’s touch typing proficiency, and their ability to stretch their hands all around the keyboard with the correct typing fingers. With 4 different levels and 3 stages per level, that’s 12 different stages of typing that has been methodically designed to bring every kid, ages K-12, through the activity of proper touch typing today.
We’re glad you asked! Today, children start playing with phones, laptops, and tablets as soon as 3 years old. After that, they start using a real keyboard at elementary and primary school to complete school lessons, due to the importance of keyboarding today. When they start typing in school, it’s important that they have a proper posture and typing understanding so they do not form bad habits. When habits are formed young, they can be incredibly difficult to change later.
Although they can start learning about the basics of touch typing then, it is not until about the ages of 7-8 that their hands are big enough to reach the different corners of the keyboard. Once this happens, it’s imperative that they learn touch typing the right way.
Keyboarding is a core skill for students to learn. Since it’s so essential today, why not make it fun for your children or students? As they approach 1st and 2nd grade, they need to be practicing hand agility with the keyboard before they develop habits that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
There are a variety of learning methods that work well with different children, including listening, reading, writing, and visual. As a teacher, it’s obviously hard to take into account 4 different styles of learning while also keeping everyone engaged. That’s why institutes have looked at 60 different studies to arrive at the conclusion that educational games increase personal achievement by 20% in all students. A touch typing game actually breaks down barriers with a combination of all 4 types of learning rolled together in something that appears to be fun.
Although the benefits are numerous, we’re going to look at the most important reasons why touch typing should be part of your child’s upbringing:
- Muscle memory occurs involuntarily and more quickly in younger children
- Hand-eye coordination develops young
- Touch typing engages touch, hearing, and sight in students, keeping them more engaged than other forms of communication, like writing
- Speed and accuracy are increased when students start touch typing young
- Kids learn to pay attention and focus on the movement of their hands and the resulting numbers and letters on the screen in front of them
- Children will be able to type 30 WPM by the time they are done with our dance mat typing game
- Better work opportunities will be presented to them as adults
- They will be able to complete college assignments more quickly and with more ease
- They will develop a personal confidence that will translate into everything they do
It can be hard to come up with new and creative educational lesson plans that teach mundane activities like typing. That’s why here at Kidstyping.net, we made your lesson plan for you, disguised as a fun typing game that will keep all kids of all ability levels engaged and excited. Working towards their rewards at the end of each stage, kids will be encouraged to keep advancing through the levels so they can feel accomplished and proud of their newfound game winnings.
This kind of educational learning will bring students together, making your life easier as the teacher. And as for the parents, get a jump-start and start teaching your kids touch typing today with this game right from your home.