In a way learning ping pong is basically a process of fusing with the paddle. But this time we are fusing with an artificial extension to our hand. Just imaging if you lose a hand and the doctor put back an artificial hand with fingers that are two inches longer. The estranged feeling can turn into serious anxiety. The preoccupation with not being able to fuse properly can distract a player from doing the right things, such as watching the ball and generate power from the waist.
Ping pong is simple physics, but under stress, the body often works against what physics calls for.
Just don't make the same mistake with your kids as your parents did with you. Start them young. Well, if you do start young, you better also start right. This brings us to the next problem of style fixation. Children can learn naturally if we just give them the fundamentals.