Others say...

"Check Operating System before purchasing"
I bought this assuming to would be current with my Windows XP-- It was only compatible w/ Windows 95 and would not work.

"A fun way to learn typing"
My kids (5 & 8) used this program for a few weeks this summer, and already they are both being able to type with the correct fingers. It is an old program, but it is a lot of fun. With all the programs out there that spend more time playing games than actually teaching, this was very refreshing. It makes the learning fun, but all the activities are geared toward learning. My kids still love it.

"Read Write and Type"
I am happy with Read, Write and Type. I like that it combines several language arts skills along with typing. It moves slowly, which also teaches listening skills and the all important "how to follow directions" skill. It does not have the fast action of some video games, which makes my 8 year old think its not cool, but he is learning how to keyboard, which is cool.

"Highly Recommended"
Children learn to type by sound from individual letter sounds to sentences in this program, formerly "Talking Fingers." Read, Write, and Type does very well correlating sounds to letter keys with the help of left and right hand animations that guide the finger and hand placement.
Plan on sitting with your child if you want them to learn to type correctly. The program could have had a few more audio prompts for the typing aspect of the program, such as looking at the screen while finding keys with their fingers, especially when the excercises go from typing one letter to short sentences. You'll need to remind them to relax the hands while over the keyboard to help them reach for the keys and develop dexterity. Another common mistake is that the child presses too slowly, which makes the key repeat many times on a computer, and then shows up as an error, making them repeat the exercise. This IS a program that some children are not ready for, and it can also be frustrating if the child doesn't succeed in the excercises, as they will not be able to move on to the next story. Kids will naturally want to advance in the program's storyline, a catchy chase to earn back (doing typing exercises) all of the storytellers who occupy the keys, stolen by Vexor the Virus, and they will often need someone right there to remind them to "power up!" This is the kind of video game parents of 6-8 year olds WANT their child to play!



"Read, Write & Type and Learn"
My son first played this game in the computer lab at school and begged me to buy it! It teaches typing skills and phonics. Foil the evil blob by typing the letters on the keyboard. He rates it a FUN game!