To keyboard or not to keyboard, there is NO question! 21st Century students need to learn how to keyboard. And not only just how to type. They must learn all the basic functions and maneuvers required to operate a personal computer.

Many elementary school educatorssuggest that third-graders should learn the keyboard layout and understand the function of the space bar, delete and arrow keys; know how to click and tap; grasp how to cut, paste and highlight; understand how to scroll; know how to select and unselect an object, text or area; and be able to drag, slide and drop selected material and use drop-down menus.

Not coincidentally, the new Common Core state exams such as PARCC require students to use these same computer skills to demonstrate what they have learned placing even more importance on learning computer literacy skills. The CCSS include two benchmarks: use the Internet for research and use digital tools for learning.

Children will NOT learn keyboarding through osmosis or repeated exposure to the keyboard while playing. It takes systematic instruction. “Look at how anything complex is taught,” says Lauren Eve Pomerantz, an educator at California Space and Science Center. “We take words and break them into phonemes to teach reading. We take dance and break it into sequences of steps to learn ballet. We take music and break it into scales to learn to play an instrument. Knitters make squares in a pattern until they are ready to incorporate it into a project.” Keyboard instruction is no different.

A few of the required skills are:

• Eye hand coordination
• Finger isolation
• Good finger sense or propioception (knowing where your fingers are in space)
• Working memory
• Bilateral coordination (using both hands in a coordinated manner)
• Sustained Attention
• Good sitting posture

Depending on the frequency of practice and general ability of the student, it takes 6 months to a year to become proficient at keyboarding. And the great news is there are plenty of FREE programs available for children to select from to learn.

Here are a few of Engage the Brain’s favorite programs:

Typing Pal “Dynamic and stimulating, Typing Pal Online offers a personalized approach to learning keyboard skills. With nothing more than a web browser and a subscription, you can make rapid progress by benefitting from the most up-to-date games and exercises.”

Typing Agent “Let’s face it, learning to type is imperative to be successful in today’s modern culture, but let’s not forget about the fun! Research shows that fun is serious business for students; the more engaged they are the more they learn, but fun is just the tip of the iceberg!”

Dance Mat Typing “It is interactive, fun, free and easy-to-use for kids; the system is complete with animated animal characters, graphics and sounds. We provide friendly menus or lists and other cool stuff to make it easier for you and your kids to use Dance Mat Typing to effectively learn how to type.”

Wrapping it Up

Keyboarding skills are a must in today’s digital-centric world. Virtually any job requires some knowledge of computers and minimum level of proficiency at keyboarding. Most schools do not have the time to teach keyboarding as a class. Research shows it takes a systematic approach of daily instruction and practice to learn how to keyboard.

These are three programs that are available to parents to help their child learn how to keyboard. Pick one and start your child today. They will thank you for the rest of their life.