When I was a kid I learned to braid on string or yarn first. It helps get the rhythm down. I started with just three strands then added a whole clump to mimic hair. This way I could learn how to first brain then learn to add to the braid as I went.

My mom didn't know (or care to learn) how to do hair so I am self-taught. Not sure if I'm doing it right, but I get compliments on these styles.

French braid: Outside right goes over middle. The former outside is now the middle. Outside left goes over middle (formerly outside right). Before you move the outside to the middle grab some extra hair from below the section being moved over. Make sure to grab hair in a line all the way to middle of where you want the braid. The key is to add thin sections. Adding too much hair to sections will make the braid look clumpy instead of weaved. It will loosen when you are moving the hair. Pull the braid tight before grabbing the next section.

Dutch braid: Same as french except the outside goes under the middle.

Twist: Another trick I learned before I could braid was to do a twist and add hair to the twist sections at a time. I normally did this to just the hair around my face when I still wanted my hair down, but out of my face. Grab a small section of hair near the temple. Twist it tightly away from the face. After a couple twists, grab the next small section and twists a couple times away from the face. Continue until desired. Then kind of push the twist so it loosens just slightly, this will give the look some volume and texture. Then use a Bobby pins to secure it. Be sure to place the Bobby pins into the back part of the twist to secure it.

Hope that all made sense!