The most interesting thing is that it's a universal stage among children of all cultures, that of becoming an individual with original thoughts that usually conflict with those of their parents. It's the time of exploration and curiosity, of learning how to manipulate parents by wanting to sleep with them every night by saying he's scared, of holding his breath when Mommy doesn't give him a cookie before dinner and realizing he's won when a terrified mother looks at her toddler turning blue and hands him the cookie jar to make him stop. He's learning to reach out into the world and stretching his boundaries and limitations. He has a temper tantrum when you interrupt something of great importance to him, like watching an ant on the sidewalk or pondering some great thought that just occurred to him.
Preschoolers are the most fascinating people to watch.
They're energetic, inquisitive, loving, stubborn, assertive, compassionate, by turns independent and clinging, and intense when something claims their attention. It's up to parents to make sure that their children find them positive and loving role models because they're nurturing their children's spirit and setting patterns that will remain for the rest of their lives.