After re-reading the replies, I've come to the conclusion that if you feel your child can understand the traditional way of quilting (6, 8, 12 stitches to the inch [whatever]) then by all means teach away. All I can say is when teaching my child to quilt at 6 or 7; she just wanted a finished quilt. My teaching her to do it right at that age just frustrated her and at 17 the doll quilt is still waiting to be finished.