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Learning about the Spacebar, Enter, and Backspace keys and what they do.
Have you ever tried to read a book where all the words were stuck together like a giant noodle? Imagine writing 'Ilovemycat' instead of 'I love my cat'!
The Spacebar is the longest key on your keyboard. It sits at the very bottom. Its job is to make a gap between words. When we talk, we take tiny pauses between words so people can understand us. When we type, we tap the Spacebar once to make that same pause. If we don't use it, our words look like a long train with no spaces: Thecatisbig. With tap of the Spacebar between words, it becomes: The cat is big.
Let's put a space between your first and last name: 1. Type your first name (like 'Sam'). 2. Tap the Spacebar exactly time. 3. Type your last name (like 'Smith'). 4. Now it looks like 'Sam Smith' instead of 'SamSmith'!
Quick Check
Which key do you press to put a space between two words?
Answer
The Spacebar.
The Enter key is usually on the right side of the keyboard. It is often shaped like a chunky rectangle or a backward 'L'. Think of it as the New Line button. When you finish a sentence and want to start a new list or a new paragraph, you tap Enter. It is like jumping from one step on a ladder down to the next one! If you tap it times, you leave a whole empty line between your sentences.
Let's make a vertical list of colors: 1. Type the word 'Red'. 2. Tap the Enter key once. 3. Type the word 'Blue'. 4. Tap the Enter key once. 5. Type the word 'Green'. Now your colors are in a neat column!
Quick Check
If you want to start writing on a new line, which key should you tap?
Answer
The Enter key.
Everyone makes mistakes when they type! The Backspace key is your best friend when that happens. It is usually at the top right of the keyboard. It often has an arrow pointing to the left . Every time you tap it, it gobbles up one letter to the left of your blinking cursor. It is like a digital eraser that cleans up your typing. If you type 'Catt' by mistake, just tap Backspace once to fix it!
Let's fix a word that has too many letters: 1. Imagine you typed 'Appleee'. 2. Look at the end of the word. 3. Tap the Backspace key time. Now it says 'Applee'. 4. Tap the Backspace key more time. 5. Now it says 'Apple' perfectly!
Where is the Spacebar located on the keyboard?
What happens when you press the Enter key?
The Backspace key erases letters to the right of the cursor.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to find a keyboard and point to the Spacebar, Enter, and Backspace keys without being told where they are.
Practice Activity
Open a blank document and try to type: 'I like' [Space] 'to' [Space] 'code.' [Enter] 'It is fun!'