childhood development

Externalizing behavior problems refer to a set of symptoms that can lead to significant psychological problems over time. These disorders affect a person's behavior as well as their physical, cognitive, and social abilities, disrupting their functioning in social, occupational, and academic areas. The present study investigated the relationship between executive functions and social skills in children's play with externalizing behavior problems. This research was conducted in a descriptive manner, and its statistical population included all children in Tehran in the academic year 2024-2025. In this study, using a multi-stage random sampling method, several schools were selected from district 6 of Tehran, and 130 children whose parents or teachers were willing to participate in the research and were identified as children with externalizing behavior problems according to the results of the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist questionnaire (CBCL) were selected as the sample. Data were collected using the BRIEF Executive Function Questionnaire and a researcher-made Social Skills Questionnaire, and data analysis was performed using single-variable regression. The results showed a positive and significant relationship between the components of executive functions (including set shifting, working memory, inhibitory control, and inhibition) and the social skills of children with externalizing behavior problems (P=0/001). Therefore, it is emphasized that by using strategies to promote executive functions and social skills in the play process, it is possible to prevent the formation and continuation of externalizing behavior problems in preschool children