Abstract
In the present study, it was aimed to examine the association among emotional regulation and interactive play skills in preschool children. The study was planned as a descriptive research and was consisted of 316 children between the ages of 4-6 years old who attend preschool institutions of Province National Educational Ministry in the city center of Antalya, Turkey. In the study, for the aim of collecting data about the socio-demographic characteristics of the children, an “Individual Information Form” was administered. In addition, for the aim of assessing emotional regulation skills, “Emotional Regulation Skills Scale” and for the purpose of assessing interactive peer play “Penn Interactive Peer Play Scale” were administered. As a result, it was found that emotional regulation skills of the children were positively associated with play interaction and negatively associated with breaking off the playIt was seen that the higher the emotional regulation skills, the less the breaking off the play which refers to anti-social and aggressive characteristics and the higher the play interaction which refers to introversion. The findings of the study suggested that emotional regulation skills predict interactive play behavior in preschool children. In line with the results, suggestions were brought up for parents, educators and professionals.