For me it is sometimes hard to put myself into other persons position when they are learning C and I'm supposed to help. I started programming when I was 10 years old. I had Amiga500 and the language was Amos BASIC.. then I programmed more basic, when I got my first PC. When I started learning C, I already had 6 years of "programming experience". The key to learning is your own motivation and interest.
PS. I can't see any 10 year old today to be interest in programming. When I was 10, programming was only interesting thing you can do with your computer. Today kids have Windows 8, Playstations and iPhones as their first computer.. Do any kid even consider starting programming.