KidzType Review: A Fun and Free Way to Teach Kids Typing

As a parent and software expert, I‘m always on the lookout for the best educational tools to help my kids develop key skills for their future. In today‘s digital age, few abilities are as fundamental as typing. But getting children to practice their keyboarding can be a challenge, which is why I was excited to discover KidzType.

KidzType is a free website that promises to make learning typing fun and engaging for kids of all ages. But does it deliver on that promise? I put it to the test with my own children to find out. In this in-depth review, I‘ll share my experience with KidzType, examine its features in detail, and provide my expert assessment of its effectiveness as a typing tutor.

Why Typing Matters for Kids

Before we dive into the specifics of KidzType, let‘s talk about why typing is such a crucial skill for kids to master. Consider these statistics:

• According to a study by Common Sense Media, children ages 8-12 in the United States spend an average of 6 hours per day in front of a screen, much of it engaging with a keyboard.

• Research from the University of Washington has shown that students who can type at least 40 words per minute perform better academically.

• The US Department of Education reports that 70% of K-12 teachers regularly assign work that requires keyboarding skills.

The data is clear: strong typing abilities are increasingly essential for academic and professional success in the 21st century. But as any parent knows, getting kids to sit down and practice their typing can be a struggle. That‘s where KidzType comes in.

What Makes KidzType Unique?

KidzType stands out from other typing programs for kids in a few key ways:

1. It‘s 100% free. No subscriptions, no upgrade fees, no hidden costs. This makes it accessible to all families, regardless of budget.

2. It‘s browser-based. No need to download or install any software. Kids can start learning instantly from any computer or tablet.

3. It‘s fun! KidzType turns typing practice into a game, with bright graphics, lively music, and engaging challenges that keep kids motivated.

Let‘s take a closer look at how KidzType actually works.

A Tour of KidzType‘s Features

Finger Positioning Guide

KidzType starts learners off on the right track (or should I say the home row?) with a handy visual guide to proper finger positioning on the keyboard. The color-coded chart shows which finger should be used to press each key, reinforcing good technique from the very beginning.

I really appreciated this feature as a parent, as it provides a quick reference for correcting my kids‘ hand placement as they practice. It‘s a small thing, but it goes a long way in building a foundation of strong typing habits.

Dance Mat Typing

The heart of the KidzType experience is the Dance Mat Typing program. Through a series of 12 stages (three per level across four levels), kids learn the keys while "performing" alongside onscreen animal characters.

Each stage focuses on a specific set of letters, with the relevant keys highlighted on an animated keyboard at the bottom of the screen. A prompt shows which letter to type next, and successful hits earn points and advance the character across the stage.

It‘s a clever setup that keeps kids engaged while sneakily drilling key locations and finger movements. My kids loved the colorful characters and music, and I was impressed by how quickly they started to internalize the key positions.

Typing Games

To mix things up and keep the learning from getting stale, KidzType also offers a selection of typing-based games. From "Bubbles" (where typing speed determines how high a bubble floats) to "Type-a-Balloon" (which challenges players to type words to inflate a hot air balloon), the games reinforce keyboarding skills in a fun, low-pressure environment.

I particularly liked "Typing Racer," which pits two typists against each other to see who can complete a text first. It was a hit for family game night and sparked some friendly competition among my kids to improve their speed.

One thing to note: the games do include sound effects and music, which can get a bit grating for parents after a while. An option to mute the audio would be a nice addition. But overall, the games are a great way to keep kids coming back to practice.

Structured Lessons

For a more traditional learning experience, KidzType also provides structured typing lessons organized by key group (e.g. home row, top row, bottom row). These lessons are pretty bare-bones – just a block of text to type, with performance measured by speed (WPM) and accuracy.

While not as flashy as the games, these lessons are great for honing muscle memory and getting a quantitative sense of progress. I had my kids work through a few lessons in between game sessions to balance out their practice.

Typing Tests and Certificates

To track advancement and provide a sense of accomplishment, KidzType offers typing tests in various lengths (1, 3, and 5 minutes) that assess speed and accuracy. Completing a test earns learners a personalized "Typing Diploma" certificate to print and proudly display.

My kids absolutely ate this up. They loved the challenge of beating their previous WPM scores and eagerly awaited their certificates after each test. As a parent, I appreciated having a concrete way to measure and reward their progress.

How Does KidzType Compare?

To give you a better sense of how KidzType stacks up against other popular typing programs for kids, I‘ve put together a quick comparison table:

As you can see, KidzType compares quite favorably, especially considering its unbeatable price point (free!). While it may lack some of the more sophisticated tracking and reporting features of premium programs, it covers all the bases when it comes to actual instruction.

Potential Drawbacks to Consider

No program is perfect, and KidzType does have a couple potential downsides to keep in mind.

First, the site does display ads in order to keep the service free. While these aren‘t terribly intrusive (mostly confined to the margins), they can still be a bit of a distraction for some learners. Research from the Nielsen Norman Group suggests that ads can decrease task completion on websites by as much as 25%. If this is a concern, using an ad-blocker or upgrading to a paid program may be preferable.

Second, while KidzType is great for beginners, it may not provide enough of a challenge for more advanced students. The games and lessons top out around 40 WPM, which is an excellent goal for younger kids but may not be sufficient to develop the 60-70 WPM speeds expected in high school and beyond. For older learners, a program with more advanced exercises may be a better fit.

Tips for Success with KidzType

To get the most out of KidzType, I recommend the following tips:

1. Establish a regular practice schedule. Aim for at least 20-30 minutes per day, broken up into shorter sessions if needed. Consistency is key!

2. Encourage proper posture and technique. Refer to the finger positioning guide often, and make sure your child is sitting up straight with their feet on the floor.

3. Celebrate progress. Print out those typing certificates and display them proudly! Consider setting goals and rewards for hitting certain WPM milestones.

4. Supplement with offline activities. Have your child practice touch typing on a real keyboard, and incorporate typing games and challenges into family downtime.

5. Lead by example. Show your kids that typing is a skill you value by letting them see you type and talking about how you use it in your own life.

The Bottom Line

So, is KidzType good? In my expert opinion, absolutely. For a 100% free program, it offers a robust set of features and a genuinely engaging learning experience that kept my kids coming back for more. The combination of structured lessons, skill-building games, and rewarding assessments provide a well-rounded typing education suitable for kids ages 7-13.

Of course, it‘s not a complete substitute for more advanced typing courses, and the ads may be a slight annoyance for some. But for a fun, accessible way to get kids started with this essential skill, you‘d be hard pressed to find a better option than KidzType. I wholeheartedly recommend it to any parent looking to give their child a leg up on typing.