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Computer Keyboards for Children

Computers are everywhere – they are at home, at work and at school.  They are in backpacks, purses, and carrying bags.  Almost everyone has one.  As each year passes, the younger the children are that are learning to use a computer.  With good reason, of course, since computers are a main learning resource in school nowadays, which is only going to improve over time.  With that said, keyboards can be a bit tedious for children when first learning how to use a keyboard; however, there are a variety of keyboards out there available on the market apart from just regular standard keyboards – there are some that have been designed just for kids!

Why Do Kids Need Special Keyboards?

The reason that children need these special computer keyboards is because they make the entire learning process a whole lot easier.  Some are colored different creating a fun and simple learning experience while some have different formats that create an easier learning experience as well.

How Are They Different?  Why Are They Good for Kids?

So, what exactly do I mean by different colors and different formats and why do our kids need these?  Well, let's start with the format and the good just simply comes with it.  On our standard keyboard, we see the QWERTY layout; however, there are some forms of keyboards that have been developed in the ABC format, which creates a simple and understandable yet positive learning experience for young children – even for two-year olds!

As for color, kids keyboards are color-coded so the keys are energetic to the kids – they stand out.  Vivid colors create enthusiasm in a child and make them want to know more about something.  We are talking yellow, orange, blue, green, red and more!

Short Guide to Buying Keyboards for Kids

When you decide that it is time to buy keyboards for your children or to add computers and kid-friendly keyboards to your nursery, daycare, or other childcare center, you should know what to look for.  After all, if you are going to take this step and teach keyboarding and the use of computers to your child(ren), you want to do it right.

* Consider your child's age. You want to choose a keyboard that is relevant for your child's age.  For example, there is one called "My First Keyboard" designed by KidTech and is great for children as young as 18 months up to five years.  It is in ABC format and has been designed with larger keys so it's easier for your child to press the right key.  The keyboard is color-coded as well with different colors for the arrows, letters, numbers, etc.

* Bright colors are key. You'll also want to choose a keyboard that is vibrant in color.  Bright colors encourage your child to learn since the eye is attracted to bright and exciting things.

* Keep it simple. Make sure that you purchase a keyboard for kids that has eliminated all that mumble-jumble that kids simply don't need such as the page up, page down, all the F keys, etc.  The kids don't need those so why waste the space and include them on the keyboard – they are trying to learn how to use it and don't need all the extras confusing them.  The elimination of these types of keys will reduce your child's irritation as well as confusion in the entire learning process.
* Large keys. Large keys are also essential to ensure that your child can read the keys with no problem.  In addition, large keys allow for the child to press keys easier without accidentally hitting the wrong key – for example, pressing the t when they meant to press the y.  It helps when the keys are larger because they are spread a bit farther apart allowing for easy movement and touch between keys.

Manufacturer's List of Children's Keyboards

We've already mentioned "My First Keyboard" so let's look at a few more keyboards that are available on the market for your children.

Crayola 11071 Keyboard

Crayola, a leader in making kids happy with a variety of different supplies, has created a keyboard for children.  The Crayola 11071 keyboard is brightly color-coded and each color is designed a special function.  For example, green is for the alphabet while orange is for the numbers – blue is designated for special keys (backspace, enter, etc.) and yellow is designated for the arrow keys.  It creates a fun and easy learning experience for your child.  This keyboard is ideally for those four years of age and up and even comes with a mouse or the keyboard separately.

KidzMouse Keyboard

If you want to give your child a little more inspiration than just the bright colors on the keyboard then you can choose to purchase KidzMouse Keyboard as they come in Disney as well as Nickelodeon models. This keyboard also comes with only the kid-necessary keys and have been shaped so that children's fingers fit on the keys easier and comfortably.  Software is built-in that keeps from a letter being typed excessively, such as "ttttt," so that only a single letter is typed instead, which is great when learning how to initially type.  Spongebob could be your ticket to getting your child to check out a keyboard!

Chester Creek FunKeyboard FunMouse Bundle

Chester Creek has developed a FunKeyboard FunMouse bundle, which included a keyboard as well as mouse.  The keyboard features vibrant colors, all of which are assigned to special functions including consonants, vowels, numbers,  arrow keys, etc.  The mouse that comes in the bundle has been designed so that it fits comfortably in the child's hand when using and is color-coded as well – the scroll button is green, with a blue left click and red right click.

Chester Creek KinderBoard

Chester Creek has also developed another keyboard known as the KinderBoard.  This keyboard is great for the first time learn.  It is in QWERTY format; however, the keys are large as well as the letter size making it easy to read and comprehend.  This keyboard is also color-coded with different colors being designated for letters, special keys, numbers, and vowels.  This one is great for those that are slower at learning or that are just now developing motor skills.  As you can see from the picture as well, the keyboard comes in a grid pattern rather than the standard staggered position.

Chester Creek also develops several other kid-friendly keyboards that you could take a look at – LearningBoard, MyBoard-UC and Keyboard LessonBoard – both of which have the same great functions and layouts at the FunKeyboard FunMouse bundle.

As you can see, there is a multitude of computer keyboards available on the market for children.  While many do not realize how vital keyboarding skills are for young children, the reality of the matter is that computers are being introduced to children earlier in life at school than ever before.  Why not start teaching our children at a young age how to develop typing skills?

About the Author

For more than four decades, webmaster Michael Simms has been an integral, innovative and successful part of IT Industry. He is both a loving husband and a qwerty keyboard computer mentor for over 20 years. He decided to become an educator so that he could inspire children to learn, just as his teachers fostered his love of knowledge.

What is the small light on top of my keyboard (Dell) right beside the light for CAPS?

It looks like a lock with the number 9 inside of it. What is the light on the other side of the CAP light? The one with the 9 inside of it stays on all the time. The CAP light comes on only when I lock it on. Should this 1st light be on all the time? and if not, what do I do to turn it off?

I'm guessing that you have the same keyboard as me, so the left most light means "number lock", which means that if it's on, then the keypad on the right enters numbers. If it's off, then it does what it says it does below the numbers. "Caps lock" is to type in uppercase without holding the shift key. "Scroll lock" is located above the asterisks on the number pad. The symbol for it is a padlock with a down arrow in it. I don't know what it's used for, so I keep it off.

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