Welcome to the second part of our twin series! If you missed the first installment, “Seeing Double: How the Rise of Twins Affects Pregnancy and Birth,” be sure to check it out.
Honestly, I wasn’t expecting twins. I mean, who really is? Amidst the chaos of carrying around 13 pounds of baby weight and trying to navigate life with a walker, the thought of deciding whether to separate my twins for school was low on my radar (read: nowhere in sight). But as those little bundles prepare for preschool this fall, the reality of pre-K and kindergarten is starting to loom large, and naturally, I’m starting to worry.
Like many of you, I can recall a set of twins from my childhood, though it was usually just one pair—unless, of course, you were an avid reader of those Sweet Valley High books. Back in school, whenever someone mentioned “the twins,” we all knew exactly who they meant. Fast forward to today, and if you’re a parent of school-aged kids, it seems like twins are everywhere! You wouldn’t be wrong—birth rates of twins have surged by 76 percent since 1980, with 33 out of every 1,000 births resulting in twins. This increase is being felt in schools, where classrooms are now more likely than ever to have multiple sets of twins.
In a recent article on twin separation in kindergarten, Lynn H. Baxter, a professor of elementary education at California State University–Northridge, noted that one in every 30 children is a twin, which means that with class sizes averaging around 25 to 30 students, most classrooms will likely have at least one set of twins. My own fraternal twins have been in multiple pre-preschool sessions, and almost every time, they were in classes with another set of twins. And as they head into preschool this September, guess what? Yep, there’s another set of twins joining the fun!
Educators have noticed this trend too, from preschool all the way through public school. “During my seven years teaching in Chicago, I only had one set of twins,” recalled Jessica Lane, a fellow twin mom and now a public school teacher in New York City. “But after relocating, I seemed to have one or two sets of twins in my classes each year. It’s hard to say if this is due to the location or just the larger student population in Brooklyn.”
It’s common for twins to remain together during nursery and preschool. Lucy Carver, who runs a play space and classes for kids under five, shared, “Last year, we had eight sets of twins! I don’t do anything special when assigning classes but I always let teachers know that they’ll have twins in their class.” Meanwhile, Sarah Matthews, a preschool director in Brooklyn with over 25 years of experience, has seen a noticeable increase in twins attending her school. “We treat each twin as an individual while also acknowledging their twin bond,” she said. “We watch their interactions and encourage them to make choices independently.” This individualized attention even extends to parent-teacher conferences, where each twin gets their own mail pouch and class portrait.
But then comes the big transition to kindergarten. Many schools have policies that require twins to be separated, with only a few states allowing parents to make the call. Statistically, in the U.S., twins are significantly more likely to be separated—between 80 and 84 percent—compared to countries like the UK (31 percent), the Netherlands (19 to 48 percent), and Australia (23 to 60 percent). Baxter’s research indicated that the further removed someone is from the twins, the more likely they are to advocate for separation, with 71 percent of principals supporting it compared to only 19 percent of twins themselves. As their mother, I find it hard to believe that a school policy can override my knowledge of my own children’s needs.
Many educators lack awareness of research surrounding twin placement and often base their decisions on misconceptions, thinking that if twins aren’t separated, they won’t develop as individuals. But experts like Eve-Marie Lane, author of Twins and Supertwins: A Handbook for Early Childhood Professionals, argue that this “twin bias” is a significant oversight. “When two kids who know each other arrive in class, teachers are typically thrilled. Yet, they might hesitate with twins, making arbitrary decisions about separation,” she pointed out.
So, is separating twins beneficial or not? The answer seems to lean toward no. Studies indicate that there are no cognitive advantages to separating twins; in fact, it may even be emotionally challenging for those who are closely bonded. Baxter noted, “Having a twin in kindergarten can feel like going to school with a friend, which often eases the adjustment.” Keeping twins together can also increase their social popularity, as they tend to receive extra attention in the same classroom. However, there are also reasons to separate them, such as disruptive behavior when they’re together, or if their academic strengths vary significantly.
Experts, including Lane and Baxter, advocate that parents should ultimately make the decision about separation. “If you’re not involving the parents, you’re doing a disservice to the family,” Lane emphasized. Parents know their children best, so a more flexible policy that accommodates family preferences and individual personalities is essential.
As I ponder whether my twins will thrive together or apart, one thing is clear: the decision should rest with my family, not the school.
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Summary:
Navigating the decision to separate twins in school can be challenging for parents. With an increasing number of twins in classrooms, understanding the impact of separation versus staying together is crucial. Research suggests that separating twins may not provide academic benefits and can even be emotionally detrimental. Ultimately, parents should have the final say in what’s best for their children, ensuring that individual needs are prioritized over blanket school policies.