💻 Why Typing is Essential for Children with Learning Differences
Did you know that learning to touch type isn’t just a practical skill. It’s a powerful tool for cognitive development, especially for children with specific learning differences like dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD?
For children who struggle with handwriting, typing opens up new possibilities. It’s more than just a way to put words on a screen. It’s about creating pathways for learning, expression, and independence.
Here’s what the research says about the benefits of typing and why it’s an essential skill for children using laptops for their exams or day-to-day learning.
1. Typing Enhances Cognitive Efficiency
Touch typing engages muscle memory, which automates the act of writing. This reduces the mental effort required to form letters or words, freeing up brainpower for higher-order thinking skills like organising ideas and constructing arguments.
🔍 The Science:
Research shows that touch typing improves working memory by reducing the cognitive load associated with manual writing. A 2020 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that typing speeds up the transcription process, enabling children to focus on creative and analytical tasks instead of struggling with letter formation.
2. Typing Boosts Writing Speed and Fluency
For many children with learning differences, handwriting can be slow and laborious. Typing is faster and more consistent, allowing students to keep up with their thoughts and express themselves more fully.
🖥️ Why This Matters:
In exams, students often run out of time because handwriting limits their ability to record everything they know. Touch typing allows children to capture their thoughts at the speed they think, making their answers clearer, more detailed, and more representative of their true ability.
3. Typing Reduces Anxiety and Builds Confidence
Imagine being a child who dreads putting pen to paper because the results are messy, unreadable, or take too much effort. Typing removes that barrier, giving children a neat and professional way to present their work.
🌟 The Impact:
Typing provides a confidence boost. Neat, typed work is easier to read for teachers and examiners, reducing stress for children who feel judged by their handwriting.
4. Typing Supports Spelling and Language Development
Children with dyslexia or other learning differences often struggle with phonological processing and spelling. Typing strengthens these skills by connecting muscle memory with visual learning.
🔤 How It Works:
Typing reinforces spelling patterns through repetition. A child who repeatedly types “environment” will eventually internalise the correct spelling through consistent practice.
5. Typing Improves Focus and Attention
For children with ADHD, staying focused on a task can be a challenge. Typing programs supported by a typing tutor, can help improve attention spans and task completion rates.
🧠 The Evidence:
A study in Educational Psychology Review found that typing is particularly beneficial for children who struggle with executive functioning, as it provides a clear framework for learning and productivity.
6. Typing Prepares Students for the Digital World
Touch typing isn’t just for school—it’s a life skill. Whether it’s for drafting essays, writing emails, or working on projects in the workplace, typing is a foundational skill for success in the modern world.
💡 Future-Proofing Their Skills:
Helping children learn to type now ensures they’re ready for the demands of higher education and the workplace, where digital communication dominates.
Why Start Now?
With exams around the corner and so many benefits to touch typing, now is the perfect time to invest in this essential skill.
💬 At Type IT!, we specialise in teaching touch typing to children with learning differences like dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD. Our research-backed program focuses on building speed, confidence, and independence—all in just 10 weeks.
📩 Secure your spot on our 10 Week Remote Course Plus+ today. Alternatively, give us a call on 020 8434 7111 to have a friendly chat about how we can help you!
Together, we can make learning accessible, enjoyable, and impactful!
Useful Links:
Link: https://www.dyslexia.org.uk/learning-resources/assistive-technology/
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7322113/
Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0022219412462516