touch typing for 7yr old?

[3duracellbunnies]

Dd1 is still struggling with writing legiably (oh that we could bottle Mrz's skills for all our children), though better than dh! . She likes to type homework sometimes, so yesterday she did it on the computer, but she types 1 fingered and takes ages. She did 150 words in about an hour. I would love her to have beautiful handwriting, school have given her extra support etc, but still an issue.

I am wondering whether it is worth teaching her to touch type, if so how? I am aware in some US states they teach everyone to touch type instead of handwriting, so it must be possible. I know she will still have to handwrite, so not giving up, but in the long term touchtyping will help her anyway. I have never learnt to touchtype grammar school girls shouldn't be typing!, although I can type without looking thanks to years of academic writing (a skill I maintain through mumsnet!). Where do we start and will they teach it at school at any point?

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

Try this, at least it's free!

I am a parent helper in dd1's yr 2 class and this term the teacher has asked me to work through the program linked to above with the children in small groups. I think it is a useful skill for anybody, but i would still encourage your dd to write by hand regularly too.

My DS was recommended to learn to tpuch type by a specialist teacher who came to assess him at school due to SpLD in writing and fine motor problems.

I researched it and went for nessy Fingers (www.nessyfingers.co.uk/). It was just over £20, and is soooooo much better than the BBC one IMHO. DS is improving quickly with it.

Thank you all for the advice, we are starting off with the bbc dance mat one, as her teacher said another girl with SN is being taught using it. When I suggested typing to dd she said 'oh is it dance mat, I love that', she had been on it once when she had time left over in ICT. She is really enjoying it, and on stage 4 of 12, will see how she goes with it and think about nessyfingers if she starts getting stuck. Now dd2 (5) is begging to have a go!

The good thing about dance mat is as she can usually go on things she wants to if she finishes ICT early she can practise in school time too. And if she is touch typing she'll be even quicker than usual in ICT!

Thanks for all your tips and so pleased we are doing it now as she is getting it so quickly. We will still work on the handwriting, but I'm pleased that she will have means of expressing herself creatively in writing beyond handwriting.

we use type shark here, and find that to be very good.