Childhood temper tantrums

My 4 year old son, is having some incredible temper tantrums at the moment, and the bad dreams at night don't help either.  I have found a few solutions to his moodiness.  At the first sign that a temper tantrum is going to start, I try and distract him.  I try putting music on and getting him to dance, or getting the pencils and paper out and have him colour in or draw.  This does not always work, so I sat down with 4 year old and discussed it.  Together, we decided, that time out was a good idea.  He takes a book and goes and lays on his bed until he feels better.  This can be five minutes or longer.  It is up to him.  I have found often, that he ends up falling asleep, and when he doesn't he comes out in a much better mood, and we don't have as much screaming and shouting happening in our house.  A 4 year old has a lot going on that they don't understand.  Things they want to be able to do but can't yet, feelings they don't know how to control (come to think of it some adults have this issue also).  The quiet time seems to work really well.  I reccommend anyone having the same problems, give it a go.