First, remember that there are two modes - creative and survival. Creative is a world where nothing will try to kill you and you have access to all the materials without having to explore/mine for them. In survival, you're dropped off with a few basic items and told to survive. Both are fun, but if you're having trouble in survival, it's good to start in creative to learn mechanics and build some really cool things!
When I've played survival with my stepdaughter, in the beginning, we usually spend our days collecting resources to craft torches, doors and pickaxes, then spend our nights underground, where we build large mines (and often build elaborate underground structures). We keep this up until we have a steady food supply, good quality armour/weapons and lighted defensive structures outside.
When I've played survival with my stepdaughter, in the beginning, we usually spend our days collecting resources to craft torches, doors and pickaxes, then spend our nights underground, where we build large mines (and often build elaborate underground structures). We keep this up until we have a steady food supply, good quality armour/weapons and lighted defensive structures outside.