This study examined the effects of nine toys on
the play of 60 3- and 4-year-old children in culturally
diverse preschool classrooms. The toys, which varied in
their features and intended uses, were selected from a list
of those that were nominated by teachers and parents as
being developmentally beneficial. Each toy was video
recorded for 240 h during free play time in four different
classrooms. Researchers coded 828 two-minute segments
of children’s play with these toys using a play quality with
toys (PQT) rating instrument developed in a previous
investigation. Toys were found to vary significantly in their
impact on play quality.