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Manual typewriters are great for kids
Filed under: Teens, Development/Milestones: Babies
When my son Christian started asking me how long it took Tolstoy to write War and Peace, I wondered what was up. Christian is ten. But Christian also likes to ponder the differences between vampires and werewolves and whether or not we will ever travel to Middle Earth, so I didn't think it was entirely unusual that he would have heard of Tolstoy and War and Peace. It turns out that Charles Schultz is responsible for a lot of Christian's encyclopedic knowledge: apparently, Snoopy decided to write a novel. And Christian, recognizing a good mentor, has decided that he will write a novel, too. Even though he is not quite sure what he will write about. We told him that that doesn't stop most people.
We were discussing this theoretical novel one evening before Christmas break, and Christian mentioned that Snoopy was using a typewriter for his novel, and I casually mentioned that I thought I had an old typewriter up in the attic. I went up and retrieved it and all three of my kids, ages 9, 10, and 13, were delighted. Whereas I took an electronic typewriter with me to college, my children have only heard of typewriters in legend: they had never actually seen one before.
I wondered why I hadn't changed the ribbon years ago, and then I realized that I bought this typewriter (a Royal) from the Salvation Army before I had internet in my home. And I had never before done a google search to see where I could get more ribbon. But I did that night, and found some for $4.95.
Christian is now working on his novel. He still doesn't know what it's about. But it beats the heck out of television.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
1-04-2007 @ 8:06AM
Jill said...I'm calling my parents and getting mine! I already have a 5yo son who has "published" a dozen books in the past three years. What a great way to learn where the keys are for future computer use too. Also good for hand strength, eye hand coordination, and compensation for poor handwriting to keep those children interested in writing and not bogged down by their own handwriting skills. Great idea! I'm forwarding this to Asha at Parent Hacks!
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1-04-2007 @ 7:49PM
ann adams said...I have a Royal portable too (and it needs a ribbon). I had good luck taking the model number to Staples. They had the ribbon in stock. That was around 10 years ago and it's about due for another.
I learned on a portable manual Remington with a blind keyboard (taped over by my dad) back in the stone age. I was around ten, maybe a little younger. If you can type on one of those, you can type on anything. I remember when we switched to electric, then Selectric, and finally WP and computers.
Not that I'm recommending we throw our keyboards out the window you understand but when I have something like forms to fill out, I drag out my faithful, at least 50 year old Royal. I did the entire Guardianship on that thing and the court said it looked better than much of the work their clerks turned in.
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