Question about child's guitar

General comment:  I am unaware of any guitars that use all nylong strings.  What I'm used to seeing when someone says "nylon string" is that the bass string (E, A, D) are bronze and the treble strings (G, B, high E) are nylon.  Standard Classical guitar setup.  I would go with that.  The larger bronze strings (or steel) shouldn't cause much finger strain as they're pretty large.  That said, I am not an encyclopedia of knowledge about guitars and you may be completely correct about all six strings supposed to be nylon.  Just seems a little "Red Rider Guitar Free With Six Box Tops" to me. 

1. I would recommend D'Addorio Classical strings. 

2. I'm sure someone has a website video handy.  I had a guy at my local shop show me how to put them on back when I took up guitar the first time.    Bought a book and two sets of strings and had my guitar along.  He was happy to help (it wasn't busy in the store at the time). 

3. Same way.  From largest string to smallest: Low E, A, D, G, B, high E.  Lowest string goes on the bottom.  Hold the neck in your left hand with the guitar body on your lap, and the lowest strings will be on the upper side of the guitar.  If you have the guitar in front of you and you are looking at the sound hole with the neck facing away, the larger strings will be on the left.  The strings are labeled or marked.  Easiest to tune with an electronic tuner.  They're about the cost of two sets of decent strings, so a very small investment that makes life invaluably easier when you start. 

Good luck!  My daughter has a 1/2 size "folk" guitar that uses nylon strings (half of which are steel) and loves banging on it.  I keep it in tune for her so her banging on it is at least in tune.  She's beginning to show interest in actually plucking particular strings on purpose.  It will be very cool to get past this "Music Man" stage. 

- Zurf

Radchael1975: No offense taken! I understand...

That's correct, Royce. A classical has all nylon but the lower 3 strings are bronze "coated".
The tension in nylon strings is much lower than steel because nylon, being lighter, doesn't need to be under high tension. If you actually had 3 steel strings on the classical you would be able to feel how tight they were compared to the other 3. It would be quite noticeable.
It's worth noting that it is unwise to put steel strings on a classical because of the higher tension they require. The body of a classical is (usually) not designed to take this.
Also, some 3/4 guitars are tuned higher than full size. I have played one (Breedlove C20T) actually, technically speaking, a travel guitar, that is tuned a 5th higher than normal.
Hope this helps.
Chris

stretch: I do hope that when my nephew's guitar is all set up properly, that he does enjoy it. Right now, he's excited about learning because his teacher at school has a guitar, not to mention his oh-so-cool auntie has one too. I hope to show him some easy chords, and possibly interest him in a song that has 2-3 chords... and see if it keeps his interest.

Any suggestions for songs, anyone?

anastasia