TOS Review: Keyboard Town Pals

Over the past few weeks, we have had the opportunity to review Keyboard Town Pals, the typing program for children.  While I personally did not start typing lessons until the 7th Grade, it has become increasingly important to teach these skills to children at a young age in today's world.  With children participating in so many activities on the computer, it is important for them to learn correct fingering early on.  Not only will this be much easier and less time-consuming than the hunt-and-peck method, but also, your child will develop good habits before it becomes too difficult to break the bad ones and re-learn correct fingering at an older age.

Keyboard Town Pals, an online typing program found at http://ktpweb.keyboardtownpals.com, is an interactive alternative to the traditional typing programs that children may find boring.  With its bright colors and friendly characters, it reminded me of TV shows that I watched as a child, such as Romper Room and Captain Kangaroo.  Sunny, the narrator, takes the children through the three streets of Keyboard Town, introducing them to characters like "Amy, for A."  The program is suitable for any child old enough to know his letters and use a keyboard, up through about eight years old.  My 10-year-old thought that the program was too childish, but my 8-year-old enjoyed it.  She finished the eight lessons that we were given for review quickly, in one afternoon, and she is now attempting to use the correct fingers on the keyboard, and she is finding her letters more quickly.

You may purchase the web-based software or the CD-ROM for the "Learn to Type in an Hour" program for $30.00 at this link.  There is also a CD-ROM bundle available for $45.00.  Other products available include stickers, finger puppets, a coloring book, and a card game.

To see what other TOS Reviewers thought about this product, click here.

Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of the Keyboard Town Pals program for the purpose of a fair review. No other compensation was given, and all opinions are my own.