Learning how to touch type

Top tips By Miss Cathy

Training your fingers

• To learn how to touch type, you are basically going to teach your fingers where the letters are on the keyboard; so that you don’t have to look or think about where the letters are.

• Once they ‘remember’ where the letters are, your fingers will do all the work for you!

• This is how pianists learn to play the piano.• You are developing a kinaesthetic memory in

your fingers!

Home position

Place your fingers on thehome row keys:

Left Hand: a s d fRight Hand: j k l ;

Thumbs: Space bar

Typing Tips

HandsYour wrist, elbows and keyboard should be on the same horizontal plane, and at a 90 degree angle to your upper arms.

SittingThere should be at least two inches between the front of the seat and the back of your knees. Your feet should be flat on the floor.

ScreenThe top of your screen should be near eye level.

Don’t Look!

Avoid the temptation to look at the keyboard

Let your fingers find the keys

Don't look at the keys when you type. Just slide your fingers around until they find the home row marking.

Relax

• Don't hammer on the keys. Try using the minimum force possible.

• Try to type with a constant speed.

Remember – good posture and no peeking!