my youngest granddaughter was 4 when she made a very special quilt for her daddy (who was deployed & missed terribly!) she used my *walmart special* brother machine-that had speed control- I have found that the kids do great as long as you can slow the speed down on what ever machine they are going to use- also set it up on a table that is *THEIR SIZE* we used her little care bear table & chairs- she did all of her own sewing- we even turned a dresser on it's side for her to stand on so she could quilt it herself with the long arm. every year the pre-school kids make a quilt too---they also use that good ole $89 brother- the speed control is the key.