Nine year old nephew wants to learn guitar

I was thrilled to hear my nine year old nephew wants to learn to play guitar! He wants me to teach him and I'm really lookimg forward to that.

I have some questions though...

Would the little boy be able to play my Strat or Tele, as far as size is concerned. Or would he have to have say, a Squier Mini or Epi LP junior?

Should he start out on electric or acoustic? Acoustics are usually physically harder to play I figured.

Any tips on starting points, i.e. chords or single notes. I guess the little guy will want to see his own progress quickly in order to stay motivated.

Any ideas for cool and super easy songs to teach him?

How did you learn?

I find that most guitar students give up trying to learn guitar as it is difficult at first but some of these students may be put off by being taught stuff they are not interested in.

My first experience of this was a tutor that had me playing song I had no interest in playing but he saw them as drill practice.

My approach to teaching would be to ask the student what they would like to play and then work on that, that way they will probably maintain interest and persevere.

I'm teaching my 8 year old and I would recommend a nylon string 3/4 size to start. Even nylon strings hurt their fingers to begin with.

I'm just started teaching a 7 year old. He has a 1/2 size Yamaha acoustic that seems to fit him very well. I started him out with actually learning the parts of the instrument and then with the 12 notes of the music scale. He seems to be very bright and hopefully will catch on fast.

a 3/4 acoustic should be fine. That's how they begin here. But if he's the reincarnation of Jimi Hendrix its another story. Some kids are really gifted and can begin with anything.

I learned on a Teisco with high action mainly because I was one determined SOB.

Year later I learned that the action could be lowered. Woah!, game changer!

That was nice to find out.
The easier the less discouraging I think.

Squire Strat or Tele would be grand for a starter.

My son of 36 had a LP off brand that he started with.

And now he's on a Squire Strat & taking it seriously.
Sent him a tuner, three straps, a cord, and a zip lock full of different picks today.

We are in different States.
Wish I was there to one on one his learning process.

I agrree start with an accoustic. the old addage 'If you can play it on a accoustic you can play it on an electric. further to that electrics as you know are alot hevier and need to be plugged into something If he learns on an accoustic he can take it any where.

I'd say a small nylon string acoustic would be easiest on the fingers and most affordable to begin with, but then again if he wants to play electric guitar then a boring ;) acoustic might put him off , so perhaps let him help decide what he'll be learning on.
Material wise make sure it's something he can relate to like a simple song of a band he knows , not just dry scales or exercises etc , that can come later.
You want him to catch the bug so just make it as fun as possible.

My daughter started at 13 on a Taylor Baby Taylor acoustic just about 2 years ago.

She now has a Strat as well but she LOVES the Baby Taylor and probably picks it up to play more than the Strat.

The Baby Taylor would be the PERFECT size for a 9 year old...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/taylor-baby-taylor-dreadnought-acoustic-guitar/514966000010000?src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=26042720

http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/baby-taylor/

http://www.taylorguitars.com/Guitars/Shared/Images/Models/305-4.jpg