Introduction: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of sand play therapy on improving self- control, emotional intelligence and alleviating behavioral problems in 6-year-old children. Research Method: The present study is a purposeful applied study and implemented in a quasi-experimental method with pre-test-post-test with a control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of all 6-year-old primary school students in District 3 of Tehran province who were studying in the academic year of 2020-2021. The sampling method was multi-stage random sampling in which 14 people were randomly selected as a sample and randomly assigned to two equal groups: experimental group (7 people) and control group (7 people). Humphrey Children (2000), Perceived Self-Control Questionnaire, Child Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue-CF) and the revised form of Kwai and Patterson Child and Adolescent Behavioral Problems (RBPC) were completed by the sample group. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were computed by SPSS software version 21. Results: The results showed that F-test analysis of covariance was obtained for self-control, and emotional intelligence and behavioral problems. These findings showed that there was a significant difference in the dependent variables including self-control, emotional intelligence and behavioral problems. Therefore, almost surely, it can be claimed that sand play therapy has an improving effect on self-control of children in range of 6 to 8 years of old. Discussion: Results showed that sand play therapy has more improving effects on self-control over emotional intelligence and behavioral problems in 6-year-old children.

Keywords: Sand Play Therapy, Self-control, Emotional Intelligence, Behavioral Problems, 6-year-old Children.

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