Heather in Neverland Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 So I have these twins in my preschool class... boy/girl... no other siblings...premies so they have been a bit behind in motor skills (but are catching up quickly!). In August they will enter kindergarten. We have 2 kindy classes. Should I split them into different classes or keep them together in one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamato3 all-boy boys Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 My SIL wanted her boy/girl twins separated so they could blossom on their own. My neice is quite "high maintenance" and she wanted Karl to have a break, lol. But, what does mom say? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emmy Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 The typical school of thought is to separate them, but I feel it should be left up to the parents. If they don't have strong feelings either way, I'd separate, if they do, I'd accommodate their wishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleWMN Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I'm not the mom of twins but I'd totally leave that up to the mother. In my dd5's preK class there is a set of g/g twins and also a little boy who's twin sister is in another class. I assume it was the parents' call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cseitter Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 My B/G twins would go together as my son doesn't do well without his sister. He is VERY protective of her. I think when they got a little older (say 1st or 2nd then split them) I think PS split twins right away though. Up to the mom though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jilly Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 When my twins attended first grade they were allowed to be in the same class. I was very happy about that as they were not ready to be separated. The policy at the school was that twins had to be separated in third grade. The school thought by then they would be old enough to handle it, and it would be a good age to encourage individual growth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I would definitely ask the mom. Mine were separated beginning in preschool and did very well. But I would have kept them together, possibly thru K, if I had had the choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I'd ask the parents (mom and dad) what they think. Mine were in the same class through K because our school is too small to have two classes for those grades. They were together again for grades 3 and 4, and now they're split for grade 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmoe Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I would want mine kept together. They have taken classes apart from each other through out the years, but they would be miserable if they were seperated everyday all day long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Echoing ask the mom. Definitely ask the mom. There are many differing reasons and circumstances for twins to be together or separated. Only mom can know the dynamics. For my own, there are times I want them together and times I want them separate. Their best benefit comes differently based on the situation. If it were my kids, I would want to know whether or not they might be able to meet up at recess or lunch. Half day or full day for K? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I would leave it up to the mom. My twins (identical) were in the same class for preschool, kindergarten, and 1st- in my state it is up to the parent. I have other friends who separate their twins and they are happy with their choice to do it that way as well. I will say that most of the moms of multiples I know from our club keep them together at least through kindergarten. I chose to keep mine together for preK-1st, but if they had been in school past 1st grade I would have left the choice up to the girls for each year after 1st grade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I'd go ahead and keep them together unless the parents have a real desire otherwise. Then if they seem too "twin-ish" to the exclusion of other kids, separate them in 1st grade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simka2 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I was not given the option, but I wanted them seperated anyway ;)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnitaMcC Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 So I have these twins in my preschool class... boy/girl... no other siblings...premies so they have been a bit behind in motor skills (but are catching up quickly!). In August they will enter kindergarten. We have 2 kindy classes. Should I split them into different classes or keep them together in one? What do the parents want???? For my twins... I kept them together (boy/girl) through kindergarten. For us it was mainly because the elementary school they were to attend, was still being built and the building didn't open until January. Since kindy classes were placed in a middle school gym for the first half of the school year, I kept my twins together. Then in 1st grade they were split up. But I would have kept them together for kindy anyway. Just seemed to make sense for their first year in elementary school. Also, they weren't overly dependent upon each other. It just made going to kindy less stressful. But we weren't homeschooling back then either (well, still only homeschool for high school so far). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted February 14, 2011 Author Share Posted February 14, 2011 In the districts where I worked previously it was NOT the parent's option which is one reason I asked and the usual procedure was to split them. These two seem pretty dependent on each other so maybe it is too early to split them? Leaving it to the parents seems safer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 It's great that you are willing to leave it up to the parents! Seperating mine in preschool was the best thing for both of them! One was dominating the other, and it let them grow as individuals. However, some twins just need to be together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLHCO Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 When I was growing up, the common thought was to separate so they develop their own individuality. That's not the case anymore. Quite often, now they can be kept together, where they often do not feel as isolated, alone, and therefore have more confidence with their twin near them. However, that's not the case with all twins, and probably less so with boy/girl twins, but it depends on their personalities and relationship. If one hinders the other significantly, it can seem like a good idea to separate them. Of course, this can backfire and have the quiet twin pull even further into his or herself. Twin dynamics vary as much as any family situation. For younger years, I am a fan of keeping them together unless there is a reason to separate. Mine only went to preschool and kindergarten before homeschool, but they were kept together. As they mature, they will naturally start to separate from different interests, middle and high school class schedules, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 My boys would have done better together at that age. I would say that around 3rd grade, they would have done as well apart. Truly, most of the times parents know their own children best. I would at least consult with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsoxwife Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 My husband's a twin and I just asked him what he thought (from a twins point of view) of being in the same class. He said being separated bothered him for the first week in kindergarden, but after that it didn't make much of a difference. I imagine it would have made a big difference for the teacher though, because I've heard quite a few stories about how they were terrors when they were together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I would be honest with your experience and tell the parents your preference, but give them the final decision. You can also use this for the opportunity to say "Our standard policy is that multiples go into different classes, but some families have a strong opinion that they should remain together. If you family prefers this, I am willing to have a conversation about it and consider your families needs while taking the school's policy into consideration. Please realize that the final decision will be mine and if you choose to have the students in the same room, and it becomes a problem in the future, one of them may be moved to another classroom." This allows the parent to be heard, but still keeps you in control of the situation. It also sets a precedent for future children, that you can uphold for any family/situation that arises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I think it should always be up to the parents to make that decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I'm glad you are thinking of asking the parents. I could see what is best for a particular twin set in a particular year might vary. We've only homeschooled so I don't know what the policy is here. I would have wanted mine together at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted February 14, 2011 Author Share Posted February 14, 2011 As I am not a twin and do not have twins I don't have a true concept of what "splitting them up" before they are ready might do to them emotionally. In all my years working in public schools, twins were always separated as the school thought that would be "best" for the twins. But it always kind of bugged me that the parents did not get a vote. Now that I am here and I have more options it seems natural that parents should be the ones to make the decision but I thought I should check with those who have experience in this. Thank you to all you twins and mothers of twins for your input!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1GirlTwinBoys Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 My boy's are identical and I think I would have wanted them together in kindergarten. It's really hard to say though because the first born is so "dominant" and I'm not sure that's the best for them. That would be a hard decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okra Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 There's a very easy answer to that one. Ask the parents what they want, and they will let you know. I have twins in PS, and they ALWAYS call and ask me if I want them together or separate. (We keep them together...) For Kindergarten, they are so small, I would think it would be better for them to be together, but the parents should have an opinion on this. Okra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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