Answer:
Even at age 3 or 4, your child is very much their own person. They have distinct likes and dislikes, and their personality is developing more every day. They are getting better at using words to express how they are feeling, which means fewer tantrums. Their mood may still change drastically from one moment to the next, but they are more likely to talk about being angry or sad rather than having a meltdown.
Preschoolers: Ruled by Emotions
Though your 3-year-old is beginning to understand the emotions they are feeling, they still have very little control over them. If they find something funny, they'll laugh hysterically. If something makes them feel sad or angry, they'll burst into tears.
At this age, your preschooler still hasn't developed much impulse control. If they feel something, they are likely to act on it. This may mean snatching a toy away from another child if they want to play with it, or getting upset when they want a snack after being told they have to wait until dinnertime. Delayed gratification means nothing to them -- they want it, and want it now.
Three- and 4-year-old children may use hitting, biting, or pushing as a way to solve conflicts. They simply don't understand the difference between appropriate and inappropriate interactions yet. It's your job to teach your child that there are right and wrong ways to express emotions and resolve problems with others.
As your child gets older, they'll begin to see a connection between emotional outbursts and negative consequences. Throwing a tantrum may result in a "time out" or a favorite toy being taken away. These consequences are helping your 4-year-old understand a tantrum isn't an acceptable way to show emotion.
Empathy also begins to emerge around age 4. Four-year-old's are starting to understand that others have feelings, too, and they can relate
