Easily frustrated pre-schooler

[Goldenperfume]

Hi, My 3.5 year old is very easily frustrated. We often hear “I can’t do it” when he hasn’t even tried or “It’s not working” in very upset tones. He has very little patience and expects what he asks for to be done/given to him immediately. I don’t think this is typical behaviour as I also have a 2.5 year old who is a lot more laid back. Is there anything I can do to help him or do I just accept this is his personality? Thanks!

There will be an element of personality, but it's also definitely a skill you can help him develop – and one that will help him with lots of things throughout his life. I have a DD the same age, and we praise the act of trying. For a particular sticking point (getting herself dressed/undressed), we used a sticker chart, with stickers being given for having a good go at it, and that worked well at getting her through the initial high effort phase.

We're also practicing waiting a bit more now that she's getting older and helping her with ideas for how to wait more easily, like finding something to do rather than just asking 100 times if it's time to leave for swimming yet. And we praise good waiting as well. It's a work in progress...