Here is a picture of one of my beginning students. Laura is 9 years old, but has taken to guitar really fast.  She loves to sing and we are currently going through a Beatle songbook. I have discovered a few teaching methods with my students. Example, find out what's of interest to them. Learn their style of music. Watch you tube clips together and disect the musical style and how the guitar is being played. If a student understands why the song is played a certain way ( style and chords)...