How Not to Rush a Toddler

I'm slowly learning the importance of allowing toddlers to explore materials and learning activities at their own pace.  As a highly Type-A personality, this is highly difficult for me!  As I type, Sweet Pea is supposed to be sorting the Teddy Bear Counters by colour.  Some of them are going in the correct bowl, however, a lot of time is spent making the Teddy Bears dance in their boxes and having them visit the bear families of other colours.  However, as I am consistent about praising the ones that go into the correct bowl, she is showing me that she understands colours and the concept of sorting!  I think we can move on to patterning now, but I still need to remember that we'll need to take a long time to play along the way.  I read somewhere that the surest way to kill a toddler's interest in school is to force them to do it like a drill seargeant.  If I allow these children to "work" (and it is work, at this age!) at their own pace, they will continue to amaze me with what they understand, and how much they can teach themselves (and me!).  Have a blessed day!

Jennifer