Teaching typing at home
When to start, what to practice and a free typing course.
The What Works Clearinghouse writing guide lists typing and word processing among the skills children should become fluent with. Children are ready once they know the letters and can reach the keys. Short daily practice of ten minutes beats a long weekly lesson. Peabody has free typing lessons and games.
Checked October 29, 2026.
This is a plain-words summary, not legal advice. Laws change: check your state's current law and its education department before you act.
A way to start
- Sit tall with wrists level and fingers on the home row.
- Practice ten minutes a day.
- Add a little speed only after accuracy is good.
- Let your child type a real letter or story.
The free path
You don't have to be good at this to teach it
A free course and a timer do the teaching. You only need to keep the schedule.
Check your state
Some states list the subjects a homeschool must cover. See the law page for your state.