Story perspectives

Toy Variety Correlates With Higher Empathy, Regulation in Infants

7/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers Gabriela Kashy Rosenbaum and Edna Orr recorded 63 infants aged 11–30 months playing with a standard toy set for fifteen minutes.
They found greater toy diversity linked to higher maternal teaching scores, quieter infant temperament, stronger emotional regulation, higher low-intensity pleasure temperament, and more empathy.
The authors cautioned the design cannot prove causation, suggested longitudinal studies, and noted socioeconomic background affects teaching quality.

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Story summary

Researchers Gabriela Kashy Rosenbaum and Edna Orr recorded 63 infants aged 11–30 months playing with a standard toy set for fifteen minutes.
They found greater toy diversity linked to higher maternal teaching scores, quieter infant temperament, stronger emotional regulation, higher low-intensity pleasure temperament, and more empathy.
The authors cautioned the design cannot prove causation, suggested longitudinal studies, and noted socioeconomic background affects teaching quality.