TerryVS

Wow, couldn't have said it better. I feel exactly the same way. It's been a while but my son learned on a Nikon FE. Kids are like sponges, they soak up knowledge. Guide her, show her some tricks like how you can compress the image with a telephoto etc. Don't handicap a child with interest!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

How about asking her to plan a "photo outing" for the two of you and tell her that she will be leading it - from venue to subject matter to meal and snack breaks. Student-guided learning situations are always more engaging than canned, teacher-led experiences, especially with the younger set. By getting her involved you are giving her ownership and encouraging self-determination. It's not just about the camera. And if she wants to shoot with a cellphone - that's more than fine. You should focus on getting her to see and record what she sees. The tech stuff about lenses, exposure settings etc will come in time when she is ready.

Just be wary and careful if she says she wants to shoot alligators.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

david vt Loc: Vermont

There are several good responses above - those that are “let kids be kids”. Your assignment, not hers, is to make it as fun as possible to create the desire and joy that it can bring. All the technical stuff can come later - as she wants to learn. Start with as automatic as it gets(program or scenes), and add a control at a time as she wants it to happen to get specific results.

I love the ideas around finding out what she wants to take pictures of, and then make that happen. I also like the idea of you and her both on similar cameras. It will feel like she is growing up.

I would add a suggestion of some kind of digital frame where she can “post” her work for the family to see. I like Nixplay due to its online control, but any digital frame will work. the more she sees her own work, and the more she gets encouragement from other family members, the more she will want to do.

Good luck

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

With adult supervision, a simple desk fan can teach a lot.

A fan can be a good practice.
You can play with the shutter speed to either stop or blur the blades.
Playing with aperture & distance will of course teach DOF. Experiment shooting near, far, zoom & also placing the fan itself near or far from the wall.
Lots of possible composition like how to make it look vintage, or add other articles to make a story.
What can you do to make the fan a hero, like an advertisement that will entice you to buy it?
There is also creative experiments like what if you throw some bits of paper or talcum powder into the running blades? Take photos of that. Add a flash in the mix and do some more creative experiments.
A kid in front of a fan can make interesting portrait for the beautiful hair blooms and natural smile/laugh.

MrMophoto Loc: Rhode Island "The biggest little"

I teach photography in a public high school in the northeast. I'll give you a description of one of the assignments I use to get my students using their cameras. This year, due to Covid and students "distance learning" I had to switch from using the schools point n shoot cameras to the students smartphones. I'm sure this will work for either.
Ali Smith (from the UK) did a series of photos called "My Red Wellies" Where she placed her pair of red wellington rain boots in different places as if they had someone still in them. An internet search will get you some examples. Also Horst Wackerbarth (also from the UK) shipped a red velvet couch around the world and photographed it in different places from Australia to California to some artic region.
I have my students choose a single item they have a connection with or just find interesting and tell them to photograph it in as many different places, camera angles, etc. as possible. I am fond of saying "you can never take too many photographs". I am always surprised by their choice of objects and the places they put them. Recently one girl photographed her "security" bunny in places like the grocery store, on a park bench, in a used car lot, it was a great series. I always try making the assignments fun.
Good luck

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Above all KEEP IT FUN
Don’t make her do all sort of adjust this and that
Go somewhere fun let her explore her inner artistic self!

dbfalconer Loc: Salida CO

I often show my screen to the grandsons when we are on an outing. They have small point n shoots and snap away. I take an interest in what they get, offer tips to hold the camera still. On one drive, the 7 ur old shot out the window for an hour. Then he showed me every picture and explained why he took it—cool rocks, patterns, a dump truck. We didn’t delete even one! I plan to make a photo book with his input..when he can find the camera again!

RobertH

I had to chuckle at the alligator comment. I asked her this morning if she’d like to do a photo outing this weekend, and where she’d like to go. The suggested location she chose is Gatorland. 😀 They also have a large rookery there, so it’s a good place for birding too.

dbfalconer Loc: Salida CO

Kids like to photograph their friends and pets.

Holding the camera still is the first ‘lesson!’

RobertH

This is a cool idea, thanks.

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

Woop there it is!!! Great thought

J

RobertH

RobertH

I do have a 50mm 1.8G, but only one of them. Considering that lens is $150 used, and I got the 55-200mm f/4 for $50, we’ll use that to get going. Someone else mentioned that the 55-200 is a bit long, which I don’t disagree with. I originally planned on an 18-55, but the 55-200 was available for pickup in town. Plus, I figure she may enjoy the longer reach. I’d still like to get an 18-55 as well, but want to see what the interest level is first.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Took a 6 year old out the other day to a local nature preserve. Aside from snap shooting a lot, he did well when I pointed out a few subjects for him. He seemed to have some natural composition skills. My observation is that you need to help them find good subjects.