Healthy Typing - Teaching the Typing Waltz

You in the front - You are in the wrong class! This not an aerobic class. This is a dance exercise to reduce typing stress.

You in the back - Please listen to the beat!

Did you ever have one of those days where nothing goes right? If you do not know what I am talking about, ask any teacher! Unless they are using NimbleFingers to teach touch typing, they are pulling out their hair! No one seems to listen to directions. So dance away. At least it is good exercise.

Back to:
Stress Relief

Previous Exercise:
Nimble Toes

Next Exercise:
Right Hand Warm Up

Typing Waltz - Tips

Preparation. Accurate keying is possible only when the equipment is correctly placed and you maintain the correct posture. Otherwise, errors will occur. There is a proper relationship between the user and the equipment. Pay particular attention to the following:

Chair height. An adjustable chair is preferred to allow for a comfortable, natural distance between chair, desk and monitor.

Material on right. Material should be on the right and elevated for reading ease.

Uncluttered table. The table should be free of unneeded books or distractions. Direct full attention to the material and do not let your eyes or mind wander.

No talking. You are not concentrating if you are talking or worried about something.

Keyboard height. If the keyboard is too high (i.e., chair too low) errors tend to occur in the top keyboard rows. If the keyboard is too low (i.e., chair too high) errors tend to occur on the bottom keyboard rows.

Elbows in. Elbows should be relaxed and near your body. If your elbows are spread outward, the first finger (the index finger) tends to glide off the keys.

Arms reaching up. Your arms should reach up to the keyboard at the same slant as the keyboard. Wrists should be low, with fingers curved. If your wrists are bent, errors tend to occur on the bottom row. If your wrists sag, top-row errors are likely.

Minimize glare. Adjust chair height and monitor angle so that glare is reduced. Eyestrain is fatiguing and will result in errors.

Don’t get sloppy. Let your fingers do the work. Do not move your hands or arms.

Use correct finger-keystroke. Remember to move only the finger needed when striking a key. Do not allow other fingers to wander away from their assigned home-row keys. This will be awkward at first, but you can do it!

Get those fingers to work! Your fingers have had “it easy” and are not accustomed to taking instructions from your brain.

Magic is not needed. Learning how to type is not magic. It requires patience and practice. Use Nimble Fingers and let the Little Professor be your guide in developing valuable typing skills.