I have taken a similar approach to Dan.

When my first granddaughter was 18 months old, I built her a SOF with removable outriggers. It was quick and easy to build and weighed about 2kg. At that age she was just towed behind her parents' strip built kayaks.

She has since handed the SOF on to her younger sister and progressed to a 12' stripper.

I am firmly of the opinion that a greenland paddle is a good way to start a very small child. Apart from the advantage if being able to easily build new ones, the low weight and particularly the lack of weight at the ends of the paddle make it much easier for a very small child to manage. As well as that, I believe that the child is less likely to upset the stability of the kayak with a GP if they don't get things quite right.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that a small child needs a very wide kayak to ensure that they are stable and safe. Like Dan's kayaks, mine are about 18" wide and that provides plenty of stability for a small child.