Thread: Parents--any of you forced your kids to learn typing early?

Forced? No. Encouraged? Yes.

I made it into a game. I can get up to 70 WPM or so with minimal errors. Made it a game with the kids to see who's the fastest while blindfolded.

My initial reaction to this is that we're solving for a problem that was specific to a bygone era. I think my parent's generation is really defined professionally by who was able to integrate into the shift away from paper to digital. I think there is still a stark divide that is notable in the workplace with workers above, say, age 45ish around who adapted and who didn't.

I think typing and immersion in all things digital is so inherent in everything kids do nowadays that they will be faced with some other challenge. That said - it's a timeless skill that is still relevant... I just don't think that kids will see it as the same challenge that we did.

There is no point in this class anymore.

I never used their waste of time techniques and taught myself.

Most kids will do same these days because they all have access to it.

Does it make a difference in your answer if he shows a strong unwillingness to write by hand (resulting in a lack of production), but he scores in 99th percentile on tests (indicating ability to produce), and could replace the handwriting requirement with typing?

Originally Posted by ShaneFalco

There is no point in this class anymore.

I never used their waste of time techniques and taught myself.

Most kids will do same these days because they all have access to it.

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Originally Posted by Buff

My initial reaction to this is that we're solving for a problem that was specific to a bygone era. I think my parent's generation is really defined professionally by who was able to integrate into the shift away from paper to digital. I think there is still a stark divide that is notable in the workplace with workers above, say, age 45ish around who adapted and who didn't.

I think typing and immersion in all things digital is so inherent in everything kids do nowadays that they will be faced with some other challenge. That said - it's a timeless skill that is still relevant... I just don't think that kids will see it as the same challenge that we did.

Yes, existing public education is horribly outdated. It is a worksheet/handwriting factory that doesn't develop as much creativity as we need going forward.

Anyway, I want him to have all the tools he needs to find his own place in his world (not ours). I thought for a while STT would be fine, but after consideration I feel typing is essential for the editing and spelling aspects of written communication. Like I said, his handwriting sucks and I look at this as an opportunity to demand he learn a useful skill ahead of schedule, one that will only increase in value as the written communication demands of his world become more involved and more important to his opportunities. I also think it will make coding a lot easier and attractive in the next few years.

BTW, I chose "forced" intentionally. I try to make it a net positive experience, because he has accomplished a lot with his typing improvement (up to about 10 wpm now) and results in difficult arenas are intrinsically satisfying, and rewards etc., but sometimes I have to resort to authority to begin the process. There have been tears but also accomplishment and a lot of praise and love after the tears. I wouldn't do this if I didn't think it was particularly important, because you really have to choose your battles, especially with a kid this stubborn.

Originally Posted by Hawgdriver

BTW, I chose "forced" intentionally. I try to make it a net positive experience, because he has accomplished a lot with his typing improvement (up to about 10 wpm now) and results in difficult arenas are intrinsically satisfying, and rewards etc., but sometimes I have to resort to authority to begin the process. There have been tears but also accomplishment and a lot of praise and love after the tears. I wouldn't do this if I didn't think it was particularly important, because you really have to choose your battles, especially with a kid this stubborn.

As a parent i have no issue with you telling your kids they have to do something.

Nah screw it, give em ice cream for dinner!

Originally Posted by Hawgdriver

BTW, I chose "forced" intentionally. I try to make it a net positive experience, because he has accomplished a lot with his typing improvement (up to about 10 wpm now) and results in difficult arenas are intrinsically satisfying, and rewards etc., but sometimes I have to resort to authority to begin the process. There have been tears but also accomplishment and a lot of praise and love after the tears. I wouldn't do this if I didn't think it was particularly important, because you really have to choose your battles, especially with a kid this stubborn.

Our 8 year old doesn't like to read. I find it really challenging to try and make it so that reading doesn't feel like work or a punishment to him... Even moreso given that he is stubborn and I feel like I'm sometimes left with no choice but to force it upon him because he needs the practice and repetition so that he doesn't fall behind. If you have any successful tips or tactics that have helped you get over some of these humps, I'd love to hear them.

Originally Posted by Buff

Our 8 year old doesn't like to read. I find it really challenging to try and make it so that reading doesn't feel like work or a punishment to him... Even moreso given that he is stubborn and I feel like I'm sometimes left with no choice but to force it upon him because he needs the practice and repetition so that he doesn't fall behind. If you have any successful tips or tactics that have helped you get over some of these humps, I'd love to hear them.

Have you tried "you read a line, I read a line" or even do alternative words, make it like a game where you need to say it really fast

Originally Posted by Valar Morghulis

Have you tried "you read a line, I read a line" or even do alternative words, make it like a game where you need to say it really fast

Alternating lines and pages is a good one, and usually when I'm able to sit and read with him things go pretty well. But there are times when we want him to be reading on his own and I am always challenged in finding ways to make that less onerous for him. I don't want him to see reading as a chore.

Originally Posted by Buff

Alternating lines and pages is a good one, and usually when I'm able to sit and read with him things go pretty well. But there are times when we want him to be reading on his own and I am always challenged in finding ways to make that less onerous for him. I don't want him to see reading as a chore.

Gotcha, what about, "read these few pages, when you are done, I will ask you three questions about them. If you get them right....we will....wrestle, cuddle, play Xbox, watch the game etc"

Just make sure initially the questions are easy

Originally Posted by Valar Morghulis

Gotcha, what about, "read these few pages, when you are done, I will ask you three questions about them. If you get them right....we will....wrestle, cuddle, play Xbox, watch the game etc"

Just make sure initially the questions are easy

Also a good one and this is where I struggle because I feel like I offer him incentives and he still (sometimes) resists. We make it easy, we break it up into smaller chunks, we give him incentives, and he just tends to not want to read (while other tasks and chores aren't really an issue). My hope is that as reading gets easier for him that he will feel less of a need to resist it... But it's a catch-22 because he's got to actually read to get better at reading.

Buff-

My middle child is fairly laid back. It wasn't easy getting her to read at times. What I've tried to do with her is be very demonstrative with praise, like when she would finish a sentence, or pronounce a difficult word, or complete a reading assignment in a given time frame. I try to provide over the top exclamation, high fives, etc. "good job, I knew you could do it!"

Originally Posted by Buff

Also a good one and this is where I struggle because I feel like I offer him incentives and he still (sometimes) resists. We make it easy, we break it up into smaller chunks, we give him incentives, and he just tends to not want to read (while other tasks and chores aren't really an issue). My hope is that as reading gets easier for him that he will feel less of a need to resist it... But it's a catch-22 because he's got to actually read to get better at reading.

What about letting him read something he likes?

So do the mandated reading with him, but give him a comic to read by himself