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Ages 9+ · Typing · Numbers and symbols
Symbols: ! ? @ #
1234567890QWERTYUIOPASDFGHJKL;ZXCVBNM,./shiftshift
Shift reaches the top face of a number key: 1 for the exclamation mark, 2 for the at sign and 3 for the hash sign.
The big ideaEach of these marks is the top face of a key. Hold shift to reach it.

How it works

Each number key has two faces, and holding shift shows the top one.

The exclamation mark is for a shout, a cheer or a surprise: shift and the one key, with the right shift. The question mark makes a sentence ask: shift and the slash key, with the left shift.

The at sign sits in the middle of an email address: shift and the two key. The hash sign and a word make a label, like #cats: shift and the three key.

An address is only for people you know, so ask a grown-up before you type a real one.

Exclamation mark• Hello!• shift and the one key• a shout, cheer or surpriseQuestion mark• Where is my hat?• shift and the slash key• makes a sentence ask
A shout and a question.

Example 1: A shout

  1. Type Hello.
  2. Hold the right shift, tap the one key, then let go.
  3. Now Hello! is a shout.

Example 2: A question

  1. Type Where is my hat.
  2. Hold the left shift and tap the slash key.
  3. The question mark ends the line, so Pickle tilts his head to ask.
QWERTYUIOPASDFGHJKL;ZXCVBNM,./shiftshift
A question mark is shift and the slash key.

Example 3: A made-up address

  1. Type kit.
  2. Hold the right shift and tap the two key for the at sign.
  3. Type example.com, to make [email protected].
  4. This address is made up: ask a grown-up before you type a real one.

Example 4: A label

  1. Hold the right shift and tap the three key for the hash sign.
  2. Add a word after it: #cats.
  3. A hash sign and a word make a label.

Words to know

exclamation mark
The mark for a shout, a cheer or a surprise.
question mark
The mark that makes a sentence ask.
at sign
The round sign in the middle of an email address.
hash sign
The sign that starts a label, like #cats.
shift
The key you hold to reach the top face of another key.

Watch out

Try it

  1. Which keys make the exclamation mark?
  2. Which keys make the question mark?
  3. Which sign goes in the middle of an email address?
  4. Who do you ask before typing a real address?
Answers: 1. Shift and the one key · 2. Shift and the slash key · 3. The at sign · 4. A grown-up
Try at homeSit with a grown-up at a real keyboard and type a short message with an exclamation mark and a question mark. Find the at sign and the hash sign too, but only type a real address if the grown-up says it is fine.
For grown-upsPractice with made-up addresses only, such as [email protected], and use this chance to say that your child should always ask you before typing a real one.
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