Learning to type correctly using the keyboard is called keyboarding. Keyboarding is a motor skill and is a matter of training your fingers to correctly and quickly press the correct key with the correct finger.

Keyboarding uses muscle memory just like a golfer trying to develop their swing. You are trying to develop your finger muscles to remember the position of the keys. Please be patient with yourself while you are training.

Proper Posture

• Sit up straight with your spine against the back of the chair, leaning slightly forward from the waist.
• Center your body in front of the keyboard.
• Sit a comfortable distance from the keyboard.
• Feet flat on the floor – slightly apart for body balance.
• Arms relaxed – elbows naturally close to the body.
• Wrists straight.
• Fingers curved – tips of fingers resting lightly on keys.
• Fingers upright - not leaning toward little fingers.

Proper Technique

• Key each key with the correct finger.
• Press the space bar with the right thumb.
• The left thumb is used as an anchor at the edge of the keyboard.
• Shift with the appropriate “little” finger.
• Always press Enter with the right little finger.
• Always press Backspace with the right little finger.
• Say every letter to yourself as you type it.

Home Row Keys

• Pick up your hands and place them on the keyboard
• Starting with the left hand place your :
• Little finger on the “A” key
• Ring finger on the “S” key
• Middle finger on the “D” key
• Index finger on the “F” key
• Then with the right hand place your:
• Little finger on the semicolon
• Ring finger on the “L” key
• Middle finger on the “K” key
• Index finger on the “J” key
• These are your home row keys. Your fingers should return to their home after striking each key. The fingers not being used stay at home.

Next Lesson - Home Row Keys