Perhaps, but much depends on the age of the child. Some of the Suzuki violin kids I hear in my community got started so young they depend on it as much as oxygen, and have turned into very good players of violin, and often other instruments, by the time they hit the teens. Those who drop out still have a pretty good basic understanding of music, though not as general as piano students, in my experience. I've had more than a few former piano and violin students who returned to their former instruments after I encouraged them to apply their guitar-smarts to them. Multiple instruments are a real turn-on for kids.

Coaching and counselling the young student through the rough stuff of any instrument, making it fun, finding practical applications of theory, offering alternate pieces, and reducing the stress, will all help the student develop an appreciation or love of the instrument. Strict by-the-book lessons don't appeal to many, especially kids.

Either way, the student still has to practice.

The only downside to piano is its lack of portability, and with modern keyboards that isn't much of an issue anymore. That is assuming "cool" isn't a factor.

Peace, Mooh.