I was almost 5 when I learnt to knit, my DCs were 6. Before that I got them sewing wool in and out of punched plastic cards to make a picture, do you remember they used to be made of cardboard? The big sewing needles are also made of plastic now.
I didn't have to pick up a single dropped stitch tonight, I felt redundant!
Plastic needles are fine as long as hot sticky hands are dipped in a little talc. Washed and dried hands are probably best to start with, if you get the chance.
If a left-hander really can't pick it up, sit facing them and do it mirror-image. I have two, one is fine, the other had to do it the other way. That certainly made my brain ache a few times.
Scottish island ferries debacle. 🏴