What Is the Best Way to Learn How to Type?

The humble keyboard is our default method for entering information into a computer or our phone.

That’s why it’s important to learn how to type properly.

So what is the best way to learn how to type?

In this article, we’ll show you how to type with easy-to-do steps that are helpful for everyone, even for kids.

Bearing in mind the stress of typing for long periods, we also share tips to overcome it.

How Do I Begin Typing?

Normally, any skill you learn is difficult at first. The same goes for typing – there’s a steep learning curve but it gets easier over time.

To begin, you’ll need a computer keyboard, not the one on your smartphone. Because you need to learn to use all your fingers, not just your thumbs.

Well, you could learn how to type using just your thumbs – it’s just far easier to use all of your fingers instead.

Typing 101

Typing isn’t a natural activity for the human body, so it puts some weird stresses on your body.

You can overcome these stress by following a few simple tips:

  • Sit upright in a chair designed for work i.e. not a kitchen chair
  • Sit at least arms length from the computer screen
  • Type with your elbows bent and your wrists relaxed
  • Place your fingers on the middle row so that your index fingers are on the F and J keys

What Is the Best Way to Learn How to Type?

The best way to learn is by touch typing, which means typing without looking. It can be accomplished by feeling the small bumps on the key letters F and J.

This way, you will familiarize yourself with the placement of the keyboard and use the bumps as an anchor for your other fingers.

Learning how to type in a structured way (touch typing) is better than doing it randomly because it allows you to become more efficient when inputting information via your keyboard.

Does Muscle Memory Affect Typing?

For starters, what does muscle memory mean?

It means that by repeating a certain motion, your body will remember to do it again. Even after a long time, such as riding a bike.

So how can you build your muscle memory for typing?

First, don’t ever look at the keyboard while typing because you’re prone to make more mistakes if you do. The best way to explain this is if you see a pothole in the road while driving – if you fix your eyes on it you’ll drive towards it instead of around it.

It’s science stuff – don’t ask me how it works, it just does.

 As an alternative, you can use a keyboard layout set to the side of the screen to help in memorizing the keys in every row until you can do it without thinking.

Rest your thumbs on the space key and now start training by repeating to stroke every key in order.

How to Start Touch Typing

  • Practice the upper row by combining letters with the middle row, and repeat the same step with the lower row.
  • You can try to type random words, by mixing letters from the upper and lower rows.
  • Always find the way back to the middle row after each keystroke.
  • Start to combine movement between the three rows using easy words.

How Can I Improve My Typing?

There is a connection between practicing and getting faster, so you need to make it a daily habit.

And that means practicing your typing skills for at least 30 minutes every single day. Or 10 minutes if you can only manage that. Or even 5 minutes.

The point I’m trying to get across here is that practice matters and the more you practice the quicker your typing skills and speed will improve.

Don’t forget to take a break from time to time, because typing can cause sore muscles and you need to rest your eyes too. As a result, you will be able to concentrate better, which will limit your typos.

But make sure to avoid these mistakes that can slow down your typing flow:

  • Unhealthy sitting posture
  • Peeking at the keyboard while typing
  • Inaccurate finger placement
  • Forgetting to turn off your Capslock key
  • Trying to use a virtual keyboard

What if I Can’t Use the Middle Row Position?

Not everyone can use the traditional method. In some cases, it’s hard to use all fingers when typing.

People can differ in their hand’s abilities and sizes, especially children. If you can’t reach the upper and lower rows, it’s okay to try different techniques.

One of the most helpful methods is to freestyle. By simply trying different combination until you find one that works best for you. My own personal typing style is freestyle but I can still type at up to 160 words per minute.

Until you find the most effective finger placement. That allows you to move swiftly across the keyboard when typing.

Surprisingly, a study showed that freestyle can be as fast as traditional typing. So use whatever works for you.

How to Type Faster

At this stage, you will develop speed as you are getting the hang of typing.

But what do you need to double your WPM (number of words typed per minute)?

By practice making equal periods between each keystroke while maintaining typing flow.

With the following tips:

  • Time yourself to know your average WPM.
  • Start using small words and move up to difficult words.
  • Create a fun way to learn, like a typing contest between your friends.
  • You can also use Apps and free typing websites to improve your speed.

Helpful software and websites

Typing is a self-improving process and it can be tedious sometimes, that’s why it helps to have a fun approach.

For example, games make practice more enjoyable for everyone and most of them are free.

  • You can start with this website, called Typing Club.
  • Use software like Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing – it’s excellent

Pros of Typing Faster

A lot of job opportunities demand typing skills. Most companies prefer employees that can type effectively to limit time and mistakes.

There is a frequent increase of jobs that request fast typers each day.

Here are some examples of jobs that specifically request this skill:

  • Writing transcripts for online lectures.
  • Blog and article writers.
  • Online personal assistant.

Wrapping things up

Anyone can self-learn how to type.

Your typing speed will improve over time – the more you practice the better you’ll get.

Just find a typing style that suits you and stick with it.

You’ll be amazed at how much you improve within the first 90 day.

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