Typing capital letters and punctuation
Once kids can type words, the next step is typing sentences: a capital at the start, punctuation at the end, and the little marks in between. A few simple rules cover almost all of it.
Capital letters: use the other Shift
There's a Shift key on each side of the keyboard, and the pinkies press them. The rule is: hold the Shift on the opposite hand from the letter.
- For a left-hand letter like A, hold right Shift.
- For a right-hand letter like J, hold left Shift.
- Hold Shift, tap the letter, let go.
Why the other side? Because the hand typing the letter needs all its fingers free. Using one pinky for Shift while the same hand reaches for a letter is awkward and slow.
Try it: A J S L, then names, which only need Shift for the first letter: Sam Jill Tom.
Comma and period: no Shift needed
Both sit on the bottom row, one row down from home.
| Mark | Finger | Shift? |
|---|---|---|
| , comma | Right middle | No |
| . period | Right ring | No |
Put one space after a comma, and one space after a period before the next sentence.
I can type. It is fun.
red, blue, and green.
Apostrophe: one key right of the semicolon
The right pinky reaches one key to the right of ; for the apostrophe. No Shift. It's how two words become one, like it's and we're.
it's we're I'm
(Remember: I'm needs a capital I.)
Marks that need Shift
The little symbol at the top of a key is the one Shift types.
| Mark | Keys | Finger |
|---|---|---|
| ? question mark | Shift + / | Right pinky |
| ! exclamation mark | Shift + 1 | Left pinky |
| : colon | Shift + ; | Right pinky |
| " quotation mark | Shift + ' | Right pinky |
And the same opposite-hand rule applies. For ? (a right-hand key), hold left Shift. For ! (a left-hand key), hold right Shift.
Can you see it? Yes!
Pack: a hat. It rained; we read.
Pip said, "Land ho!"
A note about quotes
Books often show curly quotation marks. On a keyboard, you always type the plain, straight quote key, and that counts.
Printable practice lines
Start with words, then phrases, then sentences.
it's don't can't they're he's
well, yes! why? "hello" name:
it's great! don't stop. he's here,
"Why?" she asked.
It's time to go, don't you think?
"Hello!" she said. "What's your name?"
They're here; he's ready. Can't wait!
Wake up, Pip! It's a perfect day to sail.
And for capitals:
The And This Hello Monday January
The World Hello Monday Happy Friday
On Monday and Tuesday, Sarah and James study English.
The two-line summary
Capital at the start. Punctuation at the end. One space between sentences. Accuracy first; speed comes later.
Tips for parents
- Expect a slowdown. Shift adds a second key, so typing gets slower for a while. That's normal.
- Watch for Caps Lock. Kids often discover Caps Lock and use it instead of Shift. Gently steer back to Shift for single capitals.
- Fix as you go. Punctuation mistakes are easy to miss. Read the line back together. More on that in Backspace vs Delete.
In Home Row Mojo
The Punctuation + Shift lesson in Home Row Mojo covers everything above with an on-screen keyboard that lights up which Shift to use. It ends with a sentence from the Treasure Voyage game: "Wake up, Pip! It's a perfect day to sail." Then Drills Level 10: Punctuation and Level 11: Capital Letters give more practice, and Treasure Voyage on Hard asks for full punctuation.
Try Home Row Mojo free as a guest. If it clicks, $29 once covers the whole family.