Teach Your Child Typing with Mavis Beacon
A great and affordable typing program that gives kids access to the basics of typing and is fun and easygoing. User friendly, full of games and shows progress.
Why Typing is Important
Using a computer is very valuable in any profession. This is the age of technology and over the generations, many things have changed. The current generation knows much more about touch screens and using an iPhone as a mini-computer than actually using a desktop computer. Typing is valuable and important to learn for many reasons including the basics – completing tasks and being successful in college, professional settings and beyond.
Mavis Beacon
This CD-Rom for our desktop computer is a great resource that all our three boys have learned. Recently, this has become unavailable or limited due to the current download-only age. If you are looking for Mavis Beacon, there are a few options to download the program to PC but is getting harder to find. If you can’t find it, you may need to look into similar CD-Roms such as Typing Instructor Gold though we have not tried it personally, just researched it as another option.
Tips for Teaching Typing:
- Start slowly and set time limits (perhaps 15-30 minutes every other day)
- Use the cardboard box tray like shape to cover keyboard as children get used to typing
- Check in with child every week or so to watch the speeds and accuracy to make sure they are not getting stuck or learning a letter incorrectly.
Problems we ran into with this typing program is that it is hard to find a good stopping point. You may need to do your own assessment of their typing by asking them to type a paragraph or try one of the typing tests online that are free to get a gauge on their progress.
Example of Mavis Beacon Lessons:
Other Typing Lesson Options:
How to Type: A basic free typing lesson breakdown – rather old fashioned/archaic looking but accomplishes the basics.
Typing Club: More interactive but has ads and may have additional costs.
Typing Speed Test: A free website to get a general idea of your current skill level in typing and your accuracy.
Typing.com: Lessons for typing that is free if you create an account. Will take you through the basics.
A Skill for Life
Overall, typing is a valuable and important skill that many employers will want to see. Even typing at 40-50wpm is considered proficient. Use of the computer including Word documents and basics of typing open up possibilities for your child to improve and have a “leg up” on the other candidates for a job.
Not only can your child use typing for completing their schoolwork, they can use it for:
Overall, I recommend trying typing and adding it into your weekly school schedule as time allows. Find small times to add in so your child can learn a necessary skill and improve over time. The earlier you start, the better it is for your child. It leads to success and that is our goal as a teacher and parent.