How to teach a 5 year old to cast......

Hi all
I'm about to return to angling after a long break. My twenties/thirties and family seem to have gotten in the way. As No 1 son is now of age would anybody have any useful tips on casting and general guidance when introducing the little people to the sport. I have yet to purchase any equipment for him so I guess that would be my starting point. All help gratefully received thanks in advance.

get him catching a few fish first to get him keen , if he is anything like my 5 year old i wouldnt let him loose with a rod

I had my 5 year old out fishing a few weeks back. Once i casted out he was happy to reel it in. After a while he wanted to cast so I helped him and like everything if you give it a bit of time they get the hang of it. He had a bit of fun and wants to go again. I brought him to Anamoe trout farm three years ago but we won't talk about that. Some people still get flash backs!

Thanks for the replies will get his grand-dad in to help as they both have a common enemy

Maybe send croppyboy/"Fintan" a pm,, as i know he does alot of fishing with his kids and i think there still quite young.

well...my 7yr old is casting 2oz stingers 30yds...not always in the right direction... ...as above the main thing is to catch something 'small' and let them reel it in and release the fish...great joy!...as for gear again something 'small' not 9ft!!!...and light...for rod and reel (cheap) cause its going to get bashed!...then few assisted lesson 'at the start of each trip' on casting...then stand well back and make sure there are no other anglers nor tourists and let loose...you will see some improvement but by the end of the session those little arms are tired and dangerous with a rod and a 2oz weight!...so stick at it...they either luv or hate it...but you will get a great fun...enjoy and best luck

I've been taking the nephews out occasionally over the last few years. They had small cheep old gear and just enjoyed the craic for the day. If you can get to an old pier or know a safe rock ledge try starting out with a little float or a nice light spinner (lidle gear is great) somewhere you'll get young pollock coleys byan and the like. A good mackeral run is the best thing to show him the joy of it, so get him a helmet and goggles and off to the Blackheads with you };>

thanks all for the advice....

give him the rod to cast and hold the line to do the release yourself as thats the bit that they find hard just use your left hand and guide the direction of the cast with your right hand,every time you cast tell them the moment you let go of the line ,it wont take long to get the timing ,dylan is a skinny little git i let him leave the rod in the tripod for reeling in ,maybe i should buy him his own rod ,12 foot is a bit heavey with a 5 oz gripper on it