Music Teacher Forum

With young students, it's almost just important to keep them entertained as it is to teach them. One of things I try sometimes is to sit them down at the computer and have them do some sort of exercise (musictheory.net is a good site). They can learn note naming and rhythm this way. And then it breaks up the lesson so you're not taxing a young attention span too long.

Let the student try to pizzacato TWINLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR by ear.
When he plays DDAABBA
"Answer" back with GGF#F#EED and so on. Get her involved and challenge her ear. Getting the music off the page and in the air prevents boredom.