Type IT!

Touch Typing Courses for Children – a skill for their future…

"You want to put wings on the heels of your children? Teach them to touch type. They'll bless you for it in later life. Or they'll hunt and peck like electro-chickens for the rest of their days."

John Sutherland, Professor, University College London

Who is the course for?

The after-school class during term time is suitable for children aged 7 years old and upwards.  All abilities are welcome. Invaluable for children with learning difficulties and special needs such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia.

The Course Tutor

My name is Wendy Petersen and I am the Founder of a company called Click IT! which provides computer lessons to over 700 preschool children every week.  I recently learnt to touch type and feel that it is such as important skill to teach children as early as possible, before any bad habits are established. I wish I had done it years ago! I cannot wait to pass on my knowledge to help young children achieve this amazing skill.

Why Touch Type?

Touch typing means typing without looking at the keys and once mastered, it can be extremely fast and accurate. Some children and young adults can type quite quickly by hunting and pecking the keys with two fingers. However, the problem is that many more mistakes are made and this effectively reduces the speed. Touch typing frees up sections of the brain to think – and once mastered, is easy and faster than handwriting. It also helps with spelling, as words are learned as finger patterns.

Using a computer keyboard efficiently has so many benefits:

• Coursework is an increasing part of assessment and often must be presented in typed format... 25-40% of GCSE and A levels are coursework, and an average degree may require over 200,000 words in coursework alone!

• Exams are likely to be computerised in the not too distant future, and any child or student who is slow on the keyboard will be distinctly disadvantaged.

• Measurable and transferable skill – good for future CV’s

• Improves quality/quantity of work

• Boosts self esteem/confidence

• Helps with spelling (activities follow the National Literacy Strategy)

When/Where and for how long?

All courses will take place at the Harrow Arts Centre. Our 12-week term time courses are 

one-hour lessons supported by pupil practice at home – no more than 10 minutes each day. Homework guidance will be given each week as well as regular analysis of performance. A copy of the home user software is included in the cost.

What will my child achieve in the course?

There are many different touch typing products available for children to use at home but the problem is most of these are repetitive, time consuming and boring. Quite often when learning alone at home,the student is more likely to give up after a short period of time. Our software is engaging, fun and educational and by coming to a class each week and being assessed by the course tutor, it will help your child to remain motivated in order to achieve their goal. Touch typing is all about practice and so your child should be prepared to put in practice at home as well as at class.

If they have practiced regularly, they should be able touch type sentences using all the main letters on the keyboard by the end of the course as well as learn the main punctuation keys. It’s a bit like riding a bike – you don’t forget once you know how! Accuracy is the most important aim of the lessons with the speed coming into play about halfway through the course. If required, additional follow-on lessons can be booked for speed and performance skills.