Well, I've been teaching for many years. We have a 13 year old that has become our Ace pilot in the club and believe it or not, he is now instructing. He does 3d stuff.

I usually follow a routine and use a Buddy Box which all but rules out a possible crash which can discourage a kid.
My routine is to have them start with an egg shaped oval to the left. Once they are comfortable with that, I teach him a right turn oval. Then, I start them on a figure 8 which teaches them to do a right turn followed by a left turn. All of this may take a matter of days or weeks or even months depending on how quick a learner you have.
Once I am sure they are not going to give it left when they should be giving them right, I start them on landing approaches, which requires a good engine that won't quit during idle.
I have them make approach after approach, kick in the power and go around again.
Over and over. When satisfied with that, you can let them land. Do not let them fly too far away and do not let them make long, long landing approaches. Have them keep the airplane in close where they can see it better and have better control. When this is done, start them on aerobatics which teaches them orientation. Loops, Cuban Eights, Reverse Cuban Eights, and perhaps flying inverted.
All of this keeps them under pressure to learn which is what you want. If they have what it takes, the will be a good pilot.

3dBob