My GD who just turned 9 middle of July started sewing a few months ago and she made her first laptop quilt this summer.
She has learned using a regular sewing machine. She started out on my mini Janome and now uses my Brother 88 stitch sewing machine which has the start/stop button and also the foot pedal.
Start your GD on straight stitches. My GD wanted to sew squares so I cut her a bunch and her lap quilt is what she got out of it.
Most kids I think find it easy to sew staight stitches and squares, rectangles and such and feel they have accomplished something.