Splitting twins / multiples at school...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean, splitting? Separate classes, or separate schools? I know several sets of twins and none of them are in the same class. I don't think it's allowed, typically...

As usual, a non-twin mom replying in a twin thread.

[Anonymous]

I have identical twin boys. They have always been in the same class. In Pre-K they were definitely reliant on each other, but as they have grown, they are independent, but still close. They are in 4th now. Typically, they split the kids, but you can ask administration to keep them together. At least they do in my district.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know what DCPS policy is about this? I have B/G twins that are eligible for PK3 next school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our school doesn't allow multiples to be in the same class- from pre-k on. It isn't even an option.

It is required by law in more than half of states that the parents make the decision, not the school.

Wow—this is kind of amazing! Is there a list of the states?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our school doesn't allow multiples to be in the same class- from pre-k on. It isn't even an option.

It is required by law in more than half of states that the parents make the decision, not the school.

Wow—this is kind of amazing! Is there a list of the states?

I don’t have the list of states, but I live in Virginia and it’s the law in Virginia.

Details: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title22.1/chapter7/section22.1-79.3

Scroll down to section G

[Anonymous]

Kindergarten. Mine are identical boys and they share a bedroom and play on all the same sports teams. They need a little space from each other somewhere.

[Anonymous]

My fraternal twin girls were in the same classes for preschool (there was only one class that had availability) and kindergarten (I requested it). We always told them they would be in separate classes starting in first grade. They were fine together and fine in separate classes. For middle school and now high school, they’ve attended different schools, and that’s been good for them.

[Anonymous]

preschool at age 4. glad i did!

[Anonymous]

I'm not a twin parent, full disclosure, but as a teacher, I get to see the in class results of splitting vs keeping together. I teach K and the assumption is that they will be split, but I do have fraternal twins in my class this year. The kids had been through a lot of changes the previous year (several moves, including one from overseas, lots of in and out with family members) and parents wanted them together for something consistent. It's been fine from my perspective but will likely advise their parents to separate them for 1st (parents have already said they will want my input). The kids are bright and well-behaved, and while they gravitate towards each other whenever there's a partner opportunity, it hasn't been at the expense of meeting other kids. However I don't think it's a good idea to keep them together beyond this year. Both kids are fairly outgoing, but one is more cautious and during recess periods, he either plays with his brother or just wanders by himself. They've latched on to the same friends in our class, but it seems like cautious twin is sort of lost when his brother isn't there, even if their friends are. Anyway, I think it was a good decision to keep them together this year because of the new environment, but I'd like to see cautious twin have a chance to exist in a classroom environment as himself and make friendships with kids who like *him* rather than just accept him as part of a package friendship deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:...from what age did you split your twins / multiples at school? If you did? Thinking it's time for my two. I am worried about the comparisons and reliance on each other. I want them to be their own people and have the room to grow at their own speed in their own direction.

You should start it from the beginning. Twins are two individuals and must be treated as such, not as a combo.

[Anonymous]

The only time twins at our elementary school were together was during Covid when each class was a “pod” and didn’t mingle with the other class in their grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:...from what age did you split your twins / multiples at school? If you did? Thinking it's time for my two. I am worried about the comparisons and reliance on each other. I want them to be their own people and have the room to grow at their own speed in their own direction.

You should start it from the beginning. Twins are two individuals and must be treated as such, not as a combo.

Treating twins as individuals not a combo means evaluating what is individual best for each of them. Not just having them do different things from one another.

[Anonymous]

I work in an ES and it seems about half and half through K and 1st but by 2nd most are split. Covid a little bit changed it because parents wanted their twins together during Covid both for logistics and exposure.

[Anonymous]

I am also a teacher who sees every class in the school. Our default is a separate twins though Parents can request they are together. I have only seen one case where twins together in early childhood classes worked well-boy/girl twins, with very mellow personalities. I have seen multiple instances where twins are split up mid-year.

[Anonymous]

I am a middle school teacher and there is a pair of identical twins in my class. I don’t think they should be together. Trying to remember if I’ve had twins before.