From Nervous to Natural: Teaching Tips That Transform Your Confidence (+ 3 Free STEM Lesson Plans!)

Picture this: It's your first day teaching craft classes, and your stomach is doing backflips. You're wondering if the kids will listen, if parents will think you know what you're doing, and if you'll somehow mess up what should be a fun, creative experience.

Sound familiar?

Here's what we want you to know: Every confident craft teacher you admire started exactly where you are right now.

Juliana, one of our CCC Academy members, remembers where she started: "I did not see myself as a teacher at all, and I thought I would go crazy with a large amount of these five-year-olds."

Fast forward to one year later, and Juliana now teaches 60 kids weekly! Through her craft club she even managed to make enough money to build her dream cabin!

The difference? She learned that teaching confidence isn't something you're born with. It's something you build, one class at a time.

Today, we're sharing the exact teaching strategies that transformed Juliana (and thousands of our other craft club owners) from nervous beginners into natural, confident educators who kids absolutely love.

Plus, we're giving you 3 FREE STEM-craft lesson plans to practice with; these never fail to amaze both kids and teachers! ⬇️

 The Truth About Teaching Confidence 

Before we dive into the practical tips, let's address the elephant in the room: You don't need to be a "natural born teacher" to be amazing at this.

In fact, some of our most successful members are the ones who started with the biggest doubts:

• Jo had never taught before, doesn’t have kids of her own, and doesn’t even drive. She now runs classes for over 300 students.
• Mae was nervous about starting her own craft club without qualifications or experience. Now she’s built a thriving business and runs a fully-booked club every Saturday with 12 kids per class. Her kids are by her side, making it feel like a fun playdate.

What they all discovered is this: Great craft teachers aren't born. They're made through practice, patience, and a trusted class engagement formula.

 5 Teaching Tips That Transform Your Confidence 

1. Start with the "Wonder Moment"

Every great craft class begins before you even touch the materials. It starts with capturing that spark of curiosity in kids' eyes.

Here's how to do it

Begin each class with a "wonder moment": a simple introduction, demonstration, or question that gets kids excited about what they're about to create.

For example, in our free Radical Marble Run lesson for ages 4-6, we start with a quick ball game, passing a ball around while asking, "Who likes playing with balls?" and "What sports use them?" This simple play builds energy and curiosity before revealing, "Today, we're building our own ball game!"

Watch their eyes light up. That's your cue that you've got them hooked.

Why it works: When the introduction is age-appropriate, topical, and fun, the kids are genuinely curious, they're naturally more engaged and cooperative. You're not fighting for their attention. You have it from the start.

2. Master the "Show, Don't Tell" Technique

This is where many new teachers stumble. They try to explain everything with words, when kids learn best by watching and doing.

The magic formula:

• Show the step (demonstrate it yourself)
• Invite them to try it
• Support them as they practice

For example, instead of saying "Mix the colors gently in a circular motion," pick up your own brush and show them exactly what "gently in a circular motion" looks like.

Pro tip: Use phrases like "Watch what happens when I..." or "Let me show you a cool trick..." Kids love feeling like they're learning secrets!

3. Embrace the "Beautiful Mess" Philosophy

New teachers often panic when things get messy or don't go exactly as planned. Here's your permission to let go of perfection.

Remember:

• Spilled paint means kids are engaged
• Different-looking results mean creativity is happening
• Questions you can't answer are opportunities to explore together

The day you stop trying to control every drop of glue is the day you start actually enjoying teaching. The kids feel your stress, and it makes them stressed, too.

The shift: Instead of "Oh no, that's not right," try "Interesting choice! Tell me about what you're creating."

4. Use the "Pause and Notice" Strategy

This technique transforms classroom management from stressful to simple.

How it works: When you notice the energy getting scattered or kids losing focus, pause the activity and use these magic phrases:

• "I notice some amazing problem-solving happening at this table..."
• "Pause for a moment, look around and notice something cool someone else is doing..."
• "I see some beautiful color choices happening—who wants to share what they discovered?"

Why it's powerful: Kids naturally redirect their attention to the positive behaviors you're highlighting, and the "noticers" feel proud and motivated.

5. Build Your "Teaching Toolbox" of Go-To Responses

Confidence comes from feeling prepared for anything. Here are responses that work in almost any situation:

When something goes wrong:

• "That's interesting! Let's see what we can do with that!"
• "Oops moments make the best discoveries!"

When a child says, "I can't do it":

• "You can't do it YET. What's one small step you could try?"
• "Let's figure this out together."

When handing out supplies and a child says, “I also want red scissors!” (and there isn’t an extra pair):

• “Next time you might get your first choice, but part of being in a group is learning to be flexible. Let’s all say it together to help us remember: ‘You get what you get, and you don’t get upset.’”

 Why STEM Crafts Are Your Secret Weapon 

Here's something we've discovered: STEM-based crafts make teaching easier, not harder.

Why? Because they naturally engage kids' curiosity and problem-solving instincts. Instead of you having to constantly redirect attention, the activity itself keeps kids focused and excited.

Take our Free Race Track Lesson Plan. Kids are naturally drawn to the "how does this work?" element. They're not just following instructions; they're becoming little scientists, making predictions and discoveries.

The teaching difference: With STEM crafts, you shift from being the "instructor" to being the "guide on the adventure." Much more fun for everyone!

 Practice Makes Progress (Not Perfect) 

We all think we have to be perfect from the start. The truth is, every 'mistake' teaches us something that makes us better.

Your confidence-building action plan:

1. Start small: Practice with a few kids first (neighbors, family friends, or offer a free trial class)
2. Focus on one tip at a time: Don't try to implement everything at once
3. Celebrate small wins: Did you keep kids engaged for 10 minutes? That's success!
4. Learn from each class: What worked? What would you do differently?
5. Connect with other teachers: Join communities where you can ask questions and share experiences

 Ready to Practice? Try a FREE LESSON! 

Speaking of starting small, our FREE STEM LESSON project is perfect for building your confidence. It's:

• Foolproof: The science works every time
• Engaging: Kids are mesmerized by the ????
• Educational: They learn about ????
• Flexible: Works for ages 4-12 with slight modifications

What's included in your free lesson plan:

• Complete supply list (using everyday materials)
• Step-by-step instructions with photos
• STEM learning objectives
• Troubleshooting tips
• Parent handout explaining the science

Click here to download your free done-for-you STEM based lesson plan ⤵

 The Transformation Happens Faster Than You Think 

Here's the beautiful truth: teaching confidence builds quickly when you have the right support and strategies.

Most of our members report feeling significantly more confident after just 3-4 classes. By their second month, they're the ones other new teachers are looking up to.

Remember: Every expert was once a beginner. Every confident teacher was once nervous. The only difference between where you are now and where you want to be is taking that first step.

You've got this! 💛

 Want to start your own arts & crafts club? 

Join our CCC Academy waitlist for a step-by-step guide to help you build and grow a thriving club!

Let’s turn your passion into a thriving business!