I started my granddaughters on a Janome Jem Gold, they are small but very sturdy, easy to use, they could thread it themselves. One granddaughter was a pedal to the metal type, loved to sew fast but this machine did well for her. She is now 16, still sewing and very creative. Another granddaughter likes to go slow and precise, this machine was great for her also. I also started grandsons on it, they haven't taken off with sewing but at least can do the fundamentals. and have a machine at their house.
It is also a great travel & class machine for me and I like that these machines are at my daughters home when I visit.

When I was 8 my mother taught me to sew on her Singer 15-91. It really spoiled me. (Even though I wanted the Singer's child machine because my best friend had one.) It was in a cabinet, so were the ones we used in HomeEc. So much better than the portable machines. When I had to sew on my portable Singer in 1973 it was hard to deal with such a small surface. Brother makes what they call a quilting machine which comes with an extension table.

I suggest the Babylock Zest, used to be the BL 9. A lot of machine for $99,

The new Bernette 05 Academy is a very nice mechanical machine. It comes with an extension table, lots of feet, and quite a few stitches. It also has stitch width and length adjustments. It also sews like a dream with no rattle. It will definitely be a “keeper” machine.