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Practicing simple words and learning how to put spaces between them.
Imagine your fingers are tiny dancers and the keyboard is their stage! Did you know that by resting your fingers in just the right spot, you can 'talk' to your computer without even looking at your hands?
Before we touch the keys, we need to get into our Typing Superhero pose! Sitting correctly helps you type faster and keeps your back from getting tired. First, sit up straight like there is an invisible string pulling the top of your head toward the ceiling. Keep your feet flat on the floor so you are balanced. Your elbows should be tucked in by your sides, and your wrists should be level, not resting on the desk. When you sit like a superhero, your fingers are ready for action!
Quick Check
Where should your feet be while you are typing?
Answer
Your feet should be flat on the floor.
The middle row of your keyboard is called the Home Row. This is 'Home Base' for your fingers. Your left-hand fingers rest on A, S, D, and F. Your right-hand fingers rest on J, K, L, and the semicolon (;). Most keyboards have a tiny bump on the F and J keys so you can find them with your eyes closed! Keep your fingers curved like you are holding a small orange. This helps you tap the keys quickly and lightly.
Let's type the word sad. 1. Place your left ring finger on the S key. 2. Place your left pinky finger on the A key. 3. Place your left middle finger on the D key. 4. Tap them one by one: .
When we write, we don't want our words to crash into each other! To keep them separate, we use the Spacebar. The spacebar is the long, horizontal key at the very bottom of the keyboard. You should use your thumbs to press it. Every time you finish a word, give the spacebar one quick tap. This creates a 'blank space' so people can read what you wrote. Think of it as giving your words a little bit of 'breathing room' before the next one starts.
Let's type two words: dad fad. 1. Type D-A-D using your home row fingers. 2. Use your thumb to tap the Spacebar once. 3. Type F-A-D using your home row fingers. 4. You have now typed total taps!
Quick Check
Which finger is the best one to use for the spacebar?
Answer
Your thumb is the best finger for the spacebar.
Try typing this short phrase: a lad. 1. Tap the A key with your left pinky. 2. Tap the Spacebar with your thumb. 3. Tap L (right ring finger), A (left pinky), and D (left middle finger). 4. Remember to keep your back straight while you do it!
What are the keys called where your fingers 'live'?
How many times should you hit the spacebar between words?
You should rest your wrists heavily on the desk while typing.
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow, see if you can find the 'bumps' on the F and J keys without looking!
Practice Activity
Open a blank document and try to type the word 'as' five times, then the word 'all' five times.