Whether you see a preschooler laughing or crying, hugging or tugging on a playmate, taking risks or seeking comfort from an adult, you know that they are developing their emotional skills and growing up in so many ways every day. And they need your help! Emotional Development of Three- and Four-Year-Olds shares common milestones and typical scenarios to help you recognize various ways that preschoolers express their feelings and interact with others. You will also learn strategies for supporting and nurturing their growth, especially in situations involving the following types of emotional challenges and accomplishments:

Expressing kindness and empathy
Exerting independence
Managing shyness
Building confidence
Testing limits and taking risks
Expressing anger and frustration
Dealing with fears and anxieties
Sharing a sense of humor
Handling conflicts
Dealing with separation and loss

As you support preschoolers struggling to handle emotional challenges that occur during everyday interactions with adults and other children, you will help them learn the skills to navigate their emotional ups and downs in more positive ways.

Part of the Gryphon House Growing Up in Stages series.

“The examples in Empathy were excellent and provided readers clarity on this concept. I was glad to see "sorry" and "don't" addressed in this book. I liked the way the text aligned with theory but didn't make it the focus - more reader friendly but at the same time applied it to real classroom settings. The examples for the concept Anger provided creative ideas that parents could easily implement. ”

Debbie Vera
Associate Professor Texas A&M University

“Only Susan Miller can bring to life developmental theory through descriptive real-life stories of children’s behavior and interactions, which will serve as equally engaging resources for future teachers and parents.”

Judi Simmons Estes
Associate Dean School of Education Park University

“As I was reading each of the three books in Susan Miller’s newest series, I found myself absorbing the curiosity, wonder, and awe that she shares as an observer and story-teller of children’s development, while unwittingly increasing my passion for understanding the nuances of the developmental process.”

Judi Simmons Estes
Associate Dean School of Education Park University

“Susan has been a personal friend and a resource for me since my classroom days teaching four-year olds in San Antonio, Texas to my years on the road speaking to teachers about the ages and stages of early childhood development. I always sought out her opinions and insights. Now I do not have to call her. I have her books! Her understanding of social, cognitive, and emotional development in young children is unrivaled. She explains ages and stages in her unique way, clean, simple, honest She is a gifted writer with a real empathy and understanding for her subjects: children. Susan Miller's books belong in the personal library of any early-childhood teacher. Buy them. ”

Sharon MacDonald
Author, Early Childhood Educator

“The writing style was very personal and engaging for teachers to read. The scenarios with each concept appropriately illustrate the concept and allow readers to apply the concept to classroom situations. It is necessary to have these scenarios with preschool becoming more academic since readers may not see or read about appropriate practices. Family connections were a good addition and will provide resources to the readers The related books provided readers with appropriate examples of books that children lover to hear over and over again. The tables provided the reader with easily read explanations . When the table was differentiated into two ages, it will be very appropriate content for readers who serve both 3's and 4's in the same room. ”

Debbie Vera
Associate Professor Texas A&M University

“Growing Up in Stages provides the early childhood educator with practical, hands-on learning experiences that can be easily implemented in the classroom. Whether you are a new teacher or just looking to expand your knowledge base, Susan Miller provides you with a wealthy of developmentally appropriate activities to add to your collection and the best part is that each book is based on an area of development that can be integrated into all areas of the classroom.”

Tracey Keyes
Professor, Kutztown University