it is really fine to teach youngsters to sew by hand because the basics are always important for long range ability.
One of the processes I use for youngsters who love the machines is to put the foot pedal up on a table.
The child pushes the pedal with their hand, and you guide the fabric through the machine - - they never get near the needle, but are right there to watch the whole process.
And, of course, the most important thing - - they get to pick their pieces of fabric to sew together.
This is a technique we use at the Post when we have Girl Scout Day Camp ... last year, fifty girls, sewing scraps together with all the different ages being directly involved at levels they could manage ... they produced three lap robes and one baby quilt (the baby quilt was the result of sewing little blocks together between each girl. We call them "courtesy blocks"). <wave>
all of that was accomplished in six hours, with four sewing machines, four adults and the fifty girls :thumbup: