What age/grade for keyboarding?

[countrymom]

I am wondering what age kids are learning keyboarding these days and what everyone is using? I hadn't given it much thought, but my mother-in-law was telling me how interested Big J was in her typewriter and she lets him use it everytime they come over. I think he is a little young, but am wondering just what age they start these days and what kind of program to get? I hadn't even thought about teaching keyboarding, but obviously they will eventually have to learn.

[inHistiming]

Well, not that we're in a school or even need to keep up with what school kids are doing, but when my kids were in school (4 years ago) the private school taught typing to 2nd-8th grade (it only went through middle school). I decided to begin my two older kids, 4th and 6th grade, with typing this year and we're using Mavis Beacon, which happens to be the same program that was used by the school. I'm sure there are many, many programs out there and you'll get some great recommendations....but for what it's worth we're enjoying it. There is no age limit, so young children and moms (I'm using it too) can benefit from the program. HTH

[lmercon]

When I taught in the ps, typing was taught to the fifth graders.
hth,
Laura

[Busymomma1]

We're doing Typing Instructor for Kids 5.0. Both my 1st and 2nd grader are doing it. It's very game-like and fun for them. I would say it's probably best to wait til 2nd grade or so, but I think the age on the software says "5 and up." Reading ability would be a factor, I'd think. My 1st grader is at a typical 1st grade-borderline 2nd grade reading level, and he's coming along OK. So...

I recall that I didn't learn typing until 7th or 8th grade... but that was a looong time ago! ha!

[countrymom]

I recall that I didn't learn typing until 7th or 8th grade... but that was a looong time ago! ha!

Well, I hate to even admit this, as I am aging myself, but we took typing in 9th or 10th grade and it was an elective!
Thanks for the suggestions ladies. I think I'll just let Big J play on grandma's typewriter for awhile and call it good, but I'll write down these programs you suggested.