I recently started teaching quilting at our homeschool co-op and needed to get 5 machines. I went with Janome brand because my person machine is a Janome and I trust it.
I got 5 Janome 3128 from Hancock fabrics, they were on sale for $89 each, great price when you need 5.
4 of the 5 worked one didn't and had to get a Janome 5128 also from Hancocks, this one was $139;also on sale.
They are both great learning machines but the 5128 is better for kids. The 3128 is constantly losing the thread in the "hammer" and constantly comes unthreaded if you don't pull a "long tail", both of these are very frustrating to littles.
The 5128 doesnt' seem to have the issue with the hammer losing thread but also needs a long tail. It is able to drop the feed dogs and has a top loading bobbin instead of a side loading bobbin which the 3128 has--this is really hard for little fingers to get in place.
My daughter who is 12 likes the 5128 better than the 3128.
Good Luck
I know I love teaching these littles a new craft and my own daughter loves sewing with me too.
Tammy