I completely disagree. I started programming in BASIC when I was eight. From the first lesson on, I was always after my parents to give me more - a computer,

I completely disagree. I started programming in BASIC when I was eight. From the first lesson on, I was always after my parents to give me more - a computer, programming books, etc. If the kid is truly into it, all you will have to do is get him started with a real programming language. His natural desire will (hopefully) take over from there. Baby steps, by starting out with a markup language may also work, but it won't necessarily be better.