If your child is in third grade or older, knows letters and words, and has reasonable functioning of the hands and fingers, he or she can benefit from learning to use a word processor. Children with all kinds of learning disabilities and especially those with ADHD or dysgraphia should have a word processor available for them to use at home, if at all possible.
I remember when my oldest son was in his first years of elementary school. Every time I went to parent-teacher conferences I was told, “He does good work and scores very high on tests, but his handwriting is atrocious.” When I looked at the displays of class reports and art work on the walls, my son’s assignments were easily distinguished by his sloppy penmanship. It looked like the work of a much younger child. I’ve even wondered if the reason he did not advance to the gifted program (even though he is extremely bright) was because the entrance exam had an essay portion, and his written response may have been difficult for someone to read. When I spoke to a child behavior specialist about the problem, she recommended that he learn to use a word processor at the earliest opportunity. “But won’t he improve as he gets older?” I asked.
“Somewhat,” she said. “But from what I’ve seen it’s likely he will always struggle, at least a little, with messy handwriting.” Then she added, “Good thing we’re in the age of computers.”
Last night I watched my son, now eight years later, write a report for his biology class. He easily sat up to the keyboard and typed a well-researched seven-page paper. Because he knows how to use a word processor, his handwriting, which is still hard to decipher at times, has had little affect on his schoolwork. The word processor eliminates the issue of poor penmanship entirely.
Give Your Child a Head Start on Learning to Use a Word Processor
In my opinion, children with learning disabilities and developmental delays should be introduced to word processors at the earliest possible opportunity. The “head start” principle applies here. These kids may need exposure and practice at an earlier age than their peers, so that they’ll be able to stay on course with their classmates. Here are some of the benefits:
- Learning to type on a keyboard is not a shortcut or an “easy out.” These days, it’s a vital life skill. We now live in a society where nearly every business, college, and home relies on the operation of a computer. Your child will be better equipped to have a good job, do well in school, and function independently if he or she knows how to use one.
- Spell and grammar checks can be important tools in helping your child check his work.
- Children who become easily frustrated can learn to edit their work and easily make corrections without ruining their paper and having to start over.
Here are some tips to help your child get started:
- There are a lot of good learn-to-type software programs that are kid-friendly and fun, with characters such as Spongebob Squarepants. Check out this website that compares a variety of great software typing programs for kids—click here. A program that feels like a game but is actually teaching typing skills is certainly a worthwhile investment for your child’s future.
- There are some free games online (always supervise your child when using the internet) such as this website, which was referred to my stepdaughter by her keyboarding teacher—click here.
- Don’t worry at first about fingering and whether or not the child looks at his hands while typing. Your primary goal at first is to help your child become accustomed to the feel of the keyboard and how it responds. As he or she becomes more comfortable, you can help encourage better techniques. Make using the computer fun and interesting, and not a chore.
- If your child has serious problems with dysgraphia, some schools may consider permitting a simple word-processing machine (which does not have games or connect to the internet) to be used in class, if it’s not a distraction to other students. It may be better, however, to have your child focus on handwriting while in school and computer use at home. This would be a good topic for your child’s next IEP meeting.
Kristyn Crow is the author of this blog. Visit her website by clicking here. Some links on this blog may have been generated by outside sources are not necessarily endorsed by Kristyn Crow.