Learners with fine motor skills and/or coordination difficulties may need additional time and flexibility as they develop their typing skills. The most effective approach will depend on the student's age, ability, and motivation.
The strategies below can help you tailor your support while keeping the learning experience positive and rewarding.
Approach 1: Build coordination through repetition
This approach is most effective when a student is able to stay motivated through repeated practice.
Repeat the early modules in Level 1 until the learner consistently achieves scores above 50–60%.
Continue with these modules as often as needed before progressing.
Once the learner is ready, continue using the same gradual approach throughout Levels 1 and 2 to strengthen fine motor coordination before moving on to higher levels.
Approach 2: Focus on progress instead of technique
If repeated practice is impacting motivation to learn, a student is over seven years old, or Approach 1 has not been successful, try a more flexible approach.
Remove the emphasis on touch-typing.
Encourage the learner to use whichever fingers feel most comfortable, even if that means using just one finger on each hand.
Celebrate improvements in scores and accuracy to help build confidence.
Focus on the literacy and learning benefits gained through TTRS, rather than perfect typing technique.
Maintaining motivation and a sense of achievement is often more important than insisting on correct finger placement in the early stages.
Approach 3: Reintroduce touch-typing, gradually
If a learner has made good progress using Approach 2, consider returning to Level 1, Module 1 when the timing feels right.
At this stage, reintroduce touch-typing techniques and allow the student to develop correct finger placement at a pace that matches their improved coordination and confidence.
Every student progresses differently. By adapting your expectations and focusing on steady improvement, you can help students develop both their typing and literacy skills while maintaining confidence and motivation.
Also, don't forget we have a "Dyspraxia and Me" subject that can help provide information, detail strategy use and teach motivational tips and tricks for overcoming obstacles to typing fluency.