JESSE MCCARTHY | MONTESSORIEDUCATION.COM

There’s a common belief that “rich kids” with a lot of expensive toys have all the fun. Not necessarily so, at least according to Dr. Maria Montessori.

In a book called Maria Montessori Speaks to Parents, Dr. Montessori discusses how an excess of toys — and the pampering that often accompanies them — might actually make a child less fortunate:

With Dr. Montessori’s words in mind, let’s make our Christmas this year one of quality over quantity, both in terms of the toys we give our children and the time we spend with them.

For further insight about Montessori approaches at home and in the classroom, check out the Montessori Education Podcast.