DS needs a "little clarinet" - what exactly am I looking for?!

[IzzyWizzyletsgetbusy]

I played clarinet myself from about age 10, DS in year 2 (nearly 7) brought letter home about lessons at school and wanted to learn so we agreed. I assumed he could just use my standard B flat clarinet, which is very decent and has always been looked after, but two lessons in he's brought home a note to day he needs a "little clarinet". Note also says we should be able to borrow from music service, but I've spoken to them and they don't do this and don't know what the teacher means anyway

As it happens it's DS' birthday thus weekend so if we need to buy something I can roll it in with that, but I'm just not sure what I'm looking for - any ideas? I have found E flat clarinets online - would that be what we need?

Thanks all!

*disclaimer:have emailed teacher but no response yet.

I wonder if it's one of these
You can see them being payed on youtube too.

Think I'd wait to hear back from the teacher - according tho this there are a disturbingly large number of clarinets! She might mean E flat, but C looks like it could be a possibility as well. Better to hear what she wants and why so that you can get the right thing first time...

There are these as well.

I'd also want to follow up on the "borrowing from the music service" option

I work in a music shop and we don't sell "little clarinets".
The schools only used normal Bb as they are the feeder instruments for saxes.

I doubt that a school would vere off the well-worn track of musical instruments.

Thanks for replies - have established it's an E flat they want, and despite the music service saying they don't lend them out, his teacher has been in touch to say he can borrow one until Christmas. If he's getting on ok and enjoying it, we can always get him one for Christmas.

Feeling slightly less in the dark, although will be interested to get it home and see what it's actually like. I have to admit, although I played both clarinet and sax for years, I had never heard of the C and E flat versions!

I played a B♭too. I've heard of the others, but never heard them played. But I guess it makes sense - I can't imagine how little children's fingers could cover the holes tightly enough.

B flat (I tried to be clever and do the character, but it didn't work)

You need a 'kinder clarinet' like Tangle linked. At ds's school they have the option to learn kinder clarinet or clarinet. I assume the only difference is age and whether the children have their adult teeth.

What you need is a Lyons Clarinet, which is in C. My DS, now 8, has been playing one for two years now because he hasn't the strength to hold a full-sized clarinet. He plays in a band too - just takes the flute or oboe part.