Being able to touch-type is an invaluable skill for any student and a life changing skill for some (for more information on the benefits of learning to type see our programs page). 

We use a phonics-based (Orton Gillingham) touch-typing program which supports reading and spelling development while also teaching your child to type without looking. Letters, words, and punctuation are taught in groups of 5 modules: four learning modules followed by a dictation module. Students are taught with the keyboard covered to support correct finger movements. 

There are typically three stages of learning:

Stage 1: learning which finger goes with which letter key using hand guides on the screen and simple spelling patterns. 

Stage 2: removing the hand guides when the student feels that their fingers know where each letter is automatically (this is an exciting moment as they are actually touch-typing) and being able to start to focus on using the program for spelling practice. 

Stage 3: Continuing to use the program for individualized spelling pattern practice and when the student has mastered accurate touch typing skills, they can turn their focus from accuracy to increasing typing speed. 

In addition to learning to touch type and practice phonics based spelling patterns there are modules for practicing sight words and a feature which allows us to create individual modules for a particular student. There is also a free writing feature which facilitates the student in the transition from learning to type and spell to using typing for more extended writing. 

Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 4pm