Learn the home row keys. Proper finger placement is key when learning to type. Since the fingers on both hands rest on the home row between strokes, it's essential to keep track of your placement.. Beginning with your pinkie, the fingers of your left hand should be placed on the A,S,D, and F keys. Beginning with your pinkie, the fingers on your right hands should be placed on the J,K,L, and ; keys. Both thumbs should be placed on the space bar, ready to move accordingly. Practice typing letters on the home row keys before moving to other lessons.
Venture away from home. Practice striking the keys directly above and below the home row keys, making sure to return "home" between the keystrokes. Complete graduated drills first using letters, then using simple words and phrases. Although it's fine to glance at the keyboard from time to time, try to focus on completing the correct strokes without looking at your hands.
Practice typing on a consistent basis. Choose a location that's comfortable and free from distractions. Vary your typing time and material to help prevent burn-out. Although practice won't make you perfect, following a firm regimen will make you a much better typist.
Focus on typing accuracy. Proofread your typing to ensure words are spelled correctly and that proper punctuation is followed. Compare the finished product to the original document and highlight all mistakes. Notice words or letters that are commonly misspelled or omitted. Spend more time working on areas that give you the most problems.
Work on your typing speed. Use a timer to practice typing phrases and sentences. For example, see how many sentences you can complete in one minute. Concentrate on moving your fingers as fast as possible to help increase your overall speed. Doing finger dexterity exercises may also help to increase your typing speed.