Live bait is also interesting for the child to touch and play with, which he or she should be allowed to do when the fishing gets slow of the youngster simply wants to do something else for a while. Nothing is as fascinating to a child as a bobber dancing on the surface, especially when the child knows what's causing it. The bobber also provides some casting weight, allows the child to see as well as feel strikes, and keeps the bait up off the bottom in front of the fish and away from underwater snags. You want the child to be as comfortable as possible during the fishing session. You want these first trips to be remembered as something fun, and when the fun ends for a child, it's time to end the fishing trip, no matter how well the fish are biting or how early in the trip it might be.
Some libraries even have fishing tackle to loan out with the books.
Sometimes it's better to start the fishing instruction on shore rather than on the boat, where there is more room to roam and space for casting.