for very early, beginning practice I was advised to rig up a play
violin from a butter box with a ruler taped on to it for the neck
and fingerboard. a pencil or dowel can be the bow at first. This is
just in order to learn to hold it. When he is able to walk around
with this under his chin, and get the bow hold correct then he can
transfer these skills to the real thing when he gets it. here are some
web sites:
http://ching.apana.org.au/~oliri/
here is a place where the book and tape can be purchased:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0874871441/103-6562222-2933400?v=glance
the suzuki method, should you choose to follow it is based on:
listen, listen, listen....the music gets planted in the brain and
the kstudent is more able to play because they can tell what it
is supposed to sound like. so yo might want to get the tape...
this site is not likely to have any critical opinions about suzuki
but might be full of information: http://www.suzuki-violin.com/