The child should be taught how to perform Salaah and the other aspects of Deen when he reaches the age of seven years.  In order to inculcate the habit of Salaah, the child should be admonished if he is negligent in its performance when he reaches the age of ten years. He should be punished if the need arises. (Mishkaat – Vol.1, pg.58)

Note: Nowadays children are being spoilt with love and affection while the parents console themselves by saying that the child will behave when he grows up. One should remember that if the foundation is not straight, the building will also be crooked. Therefore it is necessary to inculcate good character into the child from the very beginning so that one may not regret later.