Typing

http://typing.com/ has become a go-to resource for many families and educators seeking to build essential keyboarding skills. This free, web-based program offers comprehensive typing instruction alongside digital literacy and basic coding lessons, making it popular in both homeschool and classroom settings.

What Parents Appreciate

Parents consistently highlight http://typing.com/'s effectiveness and ease of implementation. The program's structured, self-guided approach means children can work independently with minimal parent involvement:

"A very effective free typing program... each lesson includes teaching videos and practice exercises." Homeschool blogger

"It worked! My son has better than average keyboarding speed and accuracy now." Homeschooling mom

The cost factor (or lack thereof) is frequently mentioned as a major advantage. While premium options exist, the free version provides full access to all curriculum content:

"http://typing.com/ has clear, extensive instruction, entertaining practice, and plenty of trackable metrics." Parent review

The program's gamified elements keep children engaged and motivated to practice regularly:

"Students love it because their approach is very kid friendly, and their lessons are mostly game based. http://typing.com/ makes learning fun!" Third-grade teacher

Many parents appreciate the ability to customize practice content and track progress:

"I love that it allows parents/teachers the capability to input custom content… added learning and reinforcement." Homeschooling mother of six

Common Concerns

Despite overwhelmingly positive feedback, parents do note some limitations worth considering:

The advertisements in the free version are mentioned as potentially distracting:

"Has become super laggy and now has a ton of ads – mostly for online games. My kids have been super distracted." Parent user

Some parents and educators feel the early lessons can be too repetitive:

"Beginner lessons focus too much on repeating key patterns that you would never type in real life." Tech blogger review

The requirement for a constant internet connection limits use in some situations:

"The biggest downside is that you need reliable internet access to use it." Homeschool forum comment

Some users note that the free version's reporting features have limitations, with data only stored for a limited time (typically 70-180 days).

Who Benefits Most

Based on parent and educator feedback, http://typing.com/ works particularly well for:

• Budget-conscious families seeking free or low-cost educational resources
• Independent learners who can follow instructions and work at their own pace
• Parents who prefer minimal involvement in day-to-day lesson implementation
• Students who respond well to gamification and immediate feedback
• Families with multiple children (as accounts can be created for each child)
• International or bilingual families (with support for multiple languages)

The program may be less ideal for:

• Children who are easily distracted by ads (unless using the premium version)
• Families with unreliable internet connections
• Students who need significant hands-on guidance or struggle with self-directed learning
• Very young children still developing fine motor skills (though the K-1 lessons are adapted for this age)

Implementation Tips from Parents

Experienced users suggest these strategies for getting the most from http://typing.com/:

• Schedule regular, shorter practice sessions (15-20 minutes) rather than infrequent longer ones
• Use the custom lesson feature to incorporate vocabulary or content from other subjects
• Set realistic WPM (words per minute) and accuracy goals based on age and ability
• Print certificates when milestones are reached to provide motivation
• Consider the Premium version if ads are particularly distracting for your child
• Supplement with occasional real-world typing tasks (emails, creative writing)

The Bottom Line

Parent feedback indicates that http://typing.com/ successfully delivers on its primary goal: teaching children to type efficiently while keeping them engaged. The program's balance of structure and fun, combined with its free access model, makes it an appealing option for many families.

"Fun and effective." Parent educator summary

While not perfect, the minor drawbacks are generally outweighed by the program's accessibility, comprehensive curriculum, and proven results. For most families seeking a typing solution, http://typing.com/ offers exceptional value with minimal downsides, making it one of the most widely recommended resources in both homeschool and traditional education communities.