I taught 3 of my grandchildren to sew last year, on a regular sewing machine. My son and I devised a finger guard using a piece of wire that attached alongside the presser foot and covered the front and side of the needle. It allowed excellent visibility while protecting their fingers. None of them managed to sew through a finger. I made them all memorize how to thread the machine and bobbin. They had a lot of fun sewing on paper napkins while they were learning the basics.