A fast, accurate typist is invaluable in today’s busy world. Even children can learn this important skill, and it’s never too late to start.
A good typing program will teach you which fingers are used to type each letter and the combinations of finger presses that create capital letters and punctuation marks. This information is then transferred to your motor system so that when you use your fingers to type words the movement patterns are natural and fluid. Practicing often and for long periods of time is essential. Aim for at least 30 minutes of typing practice each day. If you’re having trouble keeping your finger on the home row, try a technique called touch typing. This involves keeping your hands in a central position and moving your nearest finger to reach keys on the left and right sides of the keyboard. This approach reduces the strain on your wrists and arms, as well as reducing errors due to sloppy typing.
When typing, remember that accuracy is more important than speed. It’s more productive to spend the extra time getting each word right, than it is to try and rush through your work and then have to go back to correct all of the mistakes. Plus, slowing down can actually increase your typing speed as you develop precision muscle memory. It’s also a good idea to keep your shoulders and neck relaxed as you type. A slouched posture can lead to stiff, painful joints and fingers. typing