This article is the second part of our series on parenting multiples. For further insights, refer to the first installment, “Seeing Double: The Impact of Twin Births on Pregnancy and Delivery.”
As a parent, I was taken aback by the prospect of having twins—who truly anticipates that? Among the multitude of concerns I had while navigating a pregnancy with 13 pounds of baby weight, the decision regarding whether to separate my twins for school was not on my radar. Now that my children are approaching preschool, however, this issue has taken center stage in my mind.
Growing up, you might have known a set of twins, perhaps just one pair, or at the very least, you may have read about them in various novels. Throughout my school years, whenever someone mentioned “the twins,” we all knew exactly who was being referred to. Nowadays, if you are a parent of children under 18, you may have noticed an increase in the presence of multiples in your community. This observation is indeed accurate; twin births have surged by 76 percent since 1980, with approximately 33 out of every 1,000 births resulting in twins. This rise has led to a corresponding increase in twin students in schools, making it more likely for your child’s classroom to include one or multiple pairs of twins.
Lynn M. Gordon, an elementary education professor at California State University–Northridge, notes that with one in every 30 children being a twin, classrooms typically host at least one set of twins, given the average class size of 25 to 30 students. My fraternal twins, now three years old, have frequently shared classes with other twins during their pre-preschool experience, and I anticipate they will encounter even more twin peers as they transition to preschool this September.
Educators have observed this trend as well. Kimberly Mettler, a twin mother and New York City public school teacher, shared her experience of encountering fewer twins in her Chicago classroom compared to her current Brooklyn school, which has a much larger enrollment.
Twins generally remain together in nursery and preschool settings. Paula Heitman, director of a nonprofit that provides classes and play spaces for young children, reported having eight sets of twins last year. She does not implement specific measures for class assignments but does inform teachers of the twins in their classes. Eileen Shannon, a seasoned preschool director in Brooklyn, confirms that the number of twins she sees has increased over the past decade, and teachers strive to recognize each child as an individual while honoring their twin identity.
However, as they enter kindergarten, many schools adopt blanket policies that mandate the separation of twins. Only a handful of states grant parents the authority to decide. This leads to a significant disparity, as 80 to 84 percent of twins in the U.S. are separated, compared to much lower percentages in countries like the UK (31 percent), the Netherlands (19 to 48 percent), and Australia (23 to 60 percent). Gordon’s research indicates that the further removed individuals are from the children, the more likely they are to favor separation, with a majority of principals supporting such measures, while fewer teachers, parents, and twins themselves agree.
As a parent, I believe I am more attuned to my children’s needs than any school administrator who hasn’t met them. It is perplexing that institutional policies can override parental insight.
Research reveals that many school administrators and counselors lack awareness of studies regarding twin placement, often relying on personal biases or misconceptions about the detrimental effects of keeping twins together. Eve-Marie Arce, author of Twins and Supertwins: A Handbook for Early Childhood Professionals, argues that teachers often treat twins differently than singletons, making arbitrary separation decisions without fully understanding the children involved.
So, what’s the verdict on separation? The research suggests that separating twins does not yield cognitive advantages, with separated twins often performing no better academically. In fact, separation may negatively affect emotionally close twins, who rely on each other for support. Gordon states that having a twin in the same classroom provides comfort, likening it to having a friend by your side during a transitional phase. Socially, twins in the same classroom tend to be more popular and receive additional attention. Nevertheless, valid reasons exist for separation, especially if the twins exhibit disruptive behavior together or differ significantly in academic ability.
Experts like Arce and Gordon advocate for parental input in the decision-making process regarding separation. “If you alienate the parent, you aren’t doing that family justice,” Arce emphasizes, underscoring that parents are the ones who know their children best. A flexible policy that considers the needs of both the family and the unique personalities of the twins is crucial.
As I contemplate my daughters’ future schooling, I am determined to ensure that the decision of whether they remain together or are separated lies solely with our family, not the school system.
For more information on home insemination and pregnancy, consider visiting this excellent resource. Additionally, to enhance fertility, you may want to explore these supplements. If you’re interested in further discussions regarding this topic, check out this insightful blog post.
Summary:
Deciding whether to separate twins in school is a significant consideration for parents, particularly as educational policies often favor separation. Research indicates that separation does not yield cognitive benefits and may even be emotionally detrimental for closely bonded twins. The decision should ultimately rest with parents, who are best positioned to understand their children’s needs.