One of the biggest shifts in our homeschooling approach recently has been integrating technology in a way that is both educational and practical. While there are a million apps and programs out there for teaching kids to type, spell, and read, I wanted something more natural—something that felt useful in real life. That’s how we landed on text messaging as a learning tool.
A New Approach to Typing
Typing is a skill that is best learned through real-world application. While traditional typing programs have their place, I wanted to introduce Bug to a method that felt more engaging, practical, and personal. That’s when I realized text messaging could be a powerful tool.
How We Set It Up
We set up a highly controlled and safe messaging system, I talk about it here: Managing Screentime. She can only text a small, trusted group of adults—myself, her dad, and her grandparents. This allows her to practice typing and spelling in a safe, low-pressure environment while also improving her communication skills.
When She Can Use It
Bug has designated times for checking and sending messages:
- Morning check-in: After she wakes up and we’ve had a quick chat, she can see if her grandma has texted her while I’m making breakfast. Especially if we skipped tech time the evening before.
- Tech time: During her designated tech time, she can freely message within the trusted circle, practicing reading, typing, and responding appropriately.
The Learning Benefits
- Improved Spelling Confidence: Since messaging apps offer suggestive text, Bug is gaining confidence in spelling. She tries to sound out words, and when she sees suggestions, it reinforces correct spelling without making her feel discouraged.
- Keyboard Awareness: Typing on a phone is different from a traditional keyboard, but it’s still helping her learn where letters are and improving her muscle memory. We still practice computer keyboard typing skills using my computer throughout the week.
- Faster Typing Skills: I know from experience that instant messaging dramatically improved my own typing speed and spelling. I’m hoping Bug will see the same results as she continues to practice and memorize where each letter is on the keyboard.
- Better Communication Skills: She’s learning how to carry on back-and-forth conversations, which is great for both social skills and digital communication. While she’s typically great at conversation in person, she sometimes struggles with social awareness in written communication—this gives her a safe space to practice. On top of this, I have conversations with her about how this does not replace in person relationships and conversations and how we are still working on appropriately saying goodbye to people, she shuts down and has lots of social anxiety. We are working on this together ❤
Final Thoughts
While this is just one small way we’re using technology in our homeschool, I’m already seeing big improvements in Bug’s confidence and skills. By integrating technology in meaningful, real-world ways, we’re making learning feel more natural and engaging.
How do you use technology in your homeschool? Have you found creative ways to teach typing and communication skills?
Run Teach Bike 