Emotions Follow Development

Children hit emotional milestones on a timeline. A two-year-old cannot share willingly, and a six-year-old still cannot calm down fully on command because the prefrontal cortex is still under construction.

Knowing this timeline removes a huge amount of frustration. When your three-year-old melts down over a broken cookie, their brain genuinely lacks the wiring to stay calm. You are not failing as a parent. Their brain is on schedule, and the schedule includes meltdowns.