3 yr old reasoning abilities

[Pandora]

It's a developmental thing. Kids that age are still developing logical thinking and reasoning skills, and don't have the ability (or the words) to really explain things such as feelings or their own behaviour. It will come

+1 to that.

I remember DS being 3ish (he was in 3yo kinder) and my having no idea what was wrong with him when he felt sick because he couldn't tell me.
He managed to say his tummy hurt once and I said what does it feel like? "Chocolate".

It will come with time.

[BlackCat]

You may find if you lead by example some of the feeling stuff will come too. Im an emotional person so if I am happy, sad, stressed, angry etc and ds can see and has taken note of my change in behaviour I explain to him that "Mummy is feeling sad because..." or "Mummy is frustrated because of...". I never relised the effect such could have until one day I asked him what the matter was and he said that he felt sad because of something or other...

[Ozziehoffy]

I have an A4 piece of paper which has a LOT of different faces on it, showing different emotions. That is something that they can start to use they say from around 2 years old to help them express the emotions. They understand the faces more than the "label" for the emotion. I can scan it and email it to you if you like PM though, cos I forget to check back in and also not on every day so I totally forget where I replied haha

[Mathilda]

I'm afraid you are asking too much from your little one you will get it only when he is ready. Don't get frustrated he has quite progressed for his age and you should be happy with that.