Keyboards and kids

[patrickgeekhack]

I don't know if this is the right forum to ask this question. If it's not the right one, I'll move the thread.  I was wondering at what age should I initiate my daughter to touch typing. When she'll want to pounce her little hands on a keyboard, I will give her a cheap $10 rubber dome to play with, definitely not my better ones. But, I would like to get her at least one good keyboard when she is ready for it. Like any parent, I want the best I can afford for my child.

I would like her to know how to write properly, but in today's world, typing properly is just as important.

[bhtooefr]

The other thing is, get something that can withstand her abuse no matter what.

I'm thinking a 1993 1391401 with one-piece keys added.

Drainage channels so anything she spills in it will not stay in the board, detachable cable so if she yanks it, the cable will just come out, and won't get damaged, and the one-piece keycaps will be harder for her to pull off.

[patrickgeekhack]

The other thing is, get something that can withstand her abuse no matter what.

I'm thinking a 1993 1391401 with one-piece keys added.

Drainage channels so anything she spills in it will not stay in the board, detachable cable so if she yanks it, the cable will just come out, and won't get damaged, and the one-piece keycaps will be harder for her to pull off.

True, although I have to get one off eBay. That being said, I should have mentioned that she is still very very young: 4 months And, at my place, it's a no drink nor food in front of the computer policy

[nerp]

You know you have an addiction when you're planning keyboard purchases for your 4-month-old daughter.

Your kid is either going to worship you or think you're the weirded dad in town.

[patrickgeekhack]

You know you have an addiction when you're planning keyboard purchases for your 4-month-old daughter.

I know I should go to Keyboard Anonymous, and say, "Hello. My name is Patrick and I have a problem."

Your kid is either going to worship you or think you're the weirded dad in town.

Well, I hope she worships me. That's not a guarantee however. There are people out there who don't care for keyboards at all. Most of my friends think I'm crazy to spend what I've spent so far on keyboards. But, unlike some of them, I don't spend much on my car nor on home theatre system (I don't have a home theatre system). I'm an Arts part-time student, and therefore have to type a lot. A good vs. bad keyboard makes a big difference...to me.

Luckily, I don't have to justify my keyboards purchase on this forum ;-)

[xsphat]

My boy, 15 mo. old, already has an IBM Model M2. He loves the clicks and the feel. I think if your kid is of age to type, a good keyboard is in order. He's now going to be typing on a Realforce or an HHKB Pro any time soon, but I think an AT101 (like the cheep new in box ones on eBay) or a Model M would be the ticket. They are cheep, plentiful and build to survive. Also, you might want to look into a cover for the keyboard, one of those condom style ones that fit around the keys.

[wheel83]

I'd vote Model M since birth.

[patrickgeekhack]

My boy, 15 mo. old, already has an IBM Model M2. He loves the clicks and the feel. I think if your kid is of age to type, a good keyboard is in order. He's now going to be typing on a Realforce or an HHKB Pro any time soon, but I think an AT101 (like the cheep new in box ones on eBay) or a Model M would be the ticket. They are cheep, plentiful and build to survive. Also, you might want to look into a cover for the keyboard, one of those condom style ones that fit around the keys.

I, too, think that getting a kid a good keyboard right from the beginning is the way to go. I already have an AT101 which I'm currently using at work which I might bring back home for her. I still have time though. I should have bought two of these and save on shipping cost. Oh well!

[patrickgeekhack]

He's now going to be typing on a Realforce or an HHKB Pro any time soon...

The things we do for our kids. I always thought that parents overreact too much until my own kid was born.

[patrickgeekhack]

I'd vote Model M since birth.

LOL. I wish I had one myself.

[Chloe]

I would get something with smaller keys such as the DataDesk LittleFingers to begin with.

[patrickgeekhack]

I would get something with smaller keys such as the DataDesk LittleFingers to begin with.

What kind of switches are in these keyboards? A small keyboard is not a bad idea at all. They will be able to learn how to touch type faster in my opinion.

[patrickgeekhack]

After the first year in the keyboard factory, the toddler may have one for its accomplishments.

Sorry, but I did not catch the message

[Viett]

What keyboard layout are you going to teach your daughter?

[patrickgeekhack]

What keyboard layout are you going to teach your daughter?

Probably US layout since we have not intention in leaving Canada for another country. Unless we move to France of course. I love French food, the country etc, but I have never liked their keyboard layout.

Then again, I could also teach her Dvorak, but I highly doubt Dvorak will displace the current layout as the de factor standard.

[lowpoly]

Somewhere I read that nine years would be a good age to start with touchtyping.

[Viett]

Yeah, I doubt anything will replace our current QWERTY standard. But it's best to learn alternative layouts when you're young. If she learns something like Colemak or Dvorak, she'll still pick up QWERTY anyway.

[patrickgeekhack]

But it's best to learn alternative layouts when you're young. If she learns something like Colemak or Dvorak, she'll still pick up QWERTY anyway.

True, but I'll probably have to find a Dvorak keyboard or put stickers on the keys. I doubt a kid will want to have a keyboard where the S key is not really the S key. But you are also right in saying that she'll still be able to pick up QWERTY anyway.

[patrickgeekhack]

Somewhere I read that nine years would be a good age to start with touchtyping.

Thanks. The trick, I think, is to keep a child interest alive. Luckily, there is typing learning software disguised as games

[Xuan]

Shouldn't you wait until she can read and write? That may takes several years

[patrickgeekhack]

Shouldn't you wait until she can read and write? That may takes several years

Oops. I guess you are right. Knowing how to read and write is indeed more important.

[D-EJ915]

If the kid can play doom successfully then they can learn to touch type lol.

[MANISH7]

True, but I'll probably have to find a Dvorak keyboard or put stickers on the keys. I doubt a kid will want to have a keyboard where the S key is not really the S key. But you are also right in saying that she'll still be able to pick up QWERTY anyway.

You already have a Dvorak keyboard in your Customizer! Just pop off the keycaps and move them like I did. Once your daughter learns touch typing, she won't need to look at the keys.

With Vista / Windows 7 to be the standard, switching back and forth between Qwerty and Dvorak will be very easy. It takes me  2 clicks to switch key layouts on the "language bar" which is on the bottom right of my screen. So if your kid goes to school or the public library, she can make the change with a few clicks. The ergonomics alone justifies Dvorak. RSI is becoming a serious issue these days with the growing importance of computers. Lastly, Dvorak is much easier to learn.

I would say that while she types at slow speeds and low volumes, let her use the Customizer. As she gets faster, switch her delicates wrists to a lighter (more ergonomic) key switch like the Cherry Brown.

[patrickgeekhack]

You already have a Dvorak keyboard in your Customizer! Just pop off the keycaps and move them like I did. Once your daughter learns touch typing, she won't need to look at the keys.

With Vista / Windows 7 to be the standard, switching back and forth between Qwerty and Dvorak will be very easy. It takes me  2 clicks to switch key layouts on the "language bar" which is on the bottom right of my screen. So if your kid goes to school or the public library, she can make the change with a few clicks. The ergonomics alone justifies Dvorak. RSI is becoming a serious issue these days with the growing importance of computers. Lastly, Dvorak is much easier to learn.

I would say that while she types at slow speeds and low volumes, let her use the Customizer. As she gets faster, switch her delicates wrists to a lighter (more ergonomic) key switch like the Cherry Brown.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[bhtooefr]

Assuming they install the Dvorak key layout, and give access to the language bar, which a lot of places don't allow.

[MANISH7]

From my experience, you don't need to make any additional installations or downloads if you are running Vista / Windows 7. Dvorak comes with the OS.

As for public places restricting Language bar - you may have a point there. 95% of my typing is done at work & at home, both places where I can access the language bar. Any place where you are meant to access the PC for a long time, there's a good chance they'll give you access. But yeah - I do see your point. Nevertheless, all things considered (ergonomics, likelihood of her picking up Qwerty), it is still best to make sure she knows Dvorak.

For anyone who wants to visually see the ergonomic benefits...skip over to 1:45-2:15 of this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkMB5Q27nQI&feature=related

Granted a lot of people would never type that fast or that much - but man it hurts me just to watch those Qwerty typists!

[patrickgeekhack]

bhtooefr does have a good point concerning restricted access to language bar in public places.

One thing to consider in my case is that she'll likely have to type in both English and French. Since her mother and I are both biligual (trilingual actually), she is probably going to attend French-immersion school. Dvorak is optimized for English language if I'm not mistaken, right?

[MANISH7]

Dvorak is optimized for English language if I'm not mistaken, right?

I am not sure as I have never typed French. Nevertheless, I did a quick google and got the opposite case:

I am learning a french Dvorak (The Bépo)
I'am faster everyday and i'am enjoying it... so much confort compare to this *censored* Qwerty... xD

In any case, I apologize, I accidentally veered this thread off topic. You were asking about keyboards - I recommended your Customizer

[patrickgeekhack]

In any case, I apologize, I accidentally veered this thread off topic. You were asking about keyboards - I recommended your Customizer

Not a problem. In fact, I would like to learn Dvorak one day, that is if I have time. Maybe the next time I take some days off work, I can start learning Dvorak. Dvorak at home, and QWERTY at work is a recipe for lots of frustrations