Question for those with older (school aged) twins

ballygirl

Here in Massachusetts, parents of multiples have the option of requesting their children be in the same class once they get to school.  I had initially assumed that I would put them in different classes to help them establish their own identities and friends, but recently met a mother of twins who requested they be in the same class.  She had one shy twin and one more outgoing and said it helped the shy one to be in the same class as her sister.  It also helped during homework and projects since they were in the same class, they'd be learning the same things.  My girls are not even 1 yet - so I don't need to make this decision any time soon, I'm just wondering what your thoughts and experiences are with this?  Did you request the same classroom? If so or if not why and how did it work out?

ppants

My b/g twins are 8 and going to 3rd grade.  They've always been in separate classes at school.  DD is quieter and never gets in trouble at school.  DS is outgoing and likes to be the class clown.  Obviously, this can lead to trouble in class sometimes. 

They are pretty much learning the same thing at the same time.  Most nights, we have the exact same homework.  I feel like they get to branch out more at school on their own and reconvene at home.  I also feel like they got along at home better during the school year when they have a break from each other.  During the summer, they got to the same summer camp and are together everyday.all.day.

pinkmickey24

I'm an elementary school teacher and I've seen both situations. When my boys start school I plan to request that they be in the same class for kindergarten and then I'll most likely separate them. I plan to have them in separate classes for the reasons you mentioned above, developing their own identity and friends.

Sharon&Paul

I am a twin myself and we did many years of both together and apart. I preferred to be separate from my sister so we had our own identity and friends. Though we always ended up with the same friends.

caden

I'm starting my kids together in the same class and told the school I would agree to separate them if they demonstrated needing that. At this point they do fine in a classroom together. They each do their own thing but are less anxious when they know what their twin is up to.

ETA: my kids are in Pre-K full time

ballygirl

Thanks for all your responses!

carrotcake06

ballygirl said:

Thanks for all your responses!

Agreed! I haven't given too much thought to this but w my oldest starting K next year, school logistics are def on my mind.

meldoo2002

We are separating.  They were together this past year for full day preschool… well 4.5 days.  They did very well in the beginning… neither is more shy, chatty, or outgoing than they other.  They are identical and their skills, struggles, etc. are mostly identical too.  The teachers joke they will be the kids taking each others tests in classes they prefer cause their skills are so so similar.  BUT their behavior as the year went on got bad.  They were totally feeding off each other kind of in the idea of I have someone to back me up.  So for K we asked them be separated strongly based off their preK teachers recommendation and the fact that they do need some space from each other.  They play together non-stop which means a lot of fighting… I think having some separation will be good.  Prior to this year they had only done home daycare 2 days/week so I thought the long full days they needed to be together for the first time, but now are great at making friends and will be fine.  

FaeryStarGazer

My daughters were in different groups in PreK and it was not great. They were in the same K class and they did *wonderfully*. We talked at length with their K teacher about keeping them together and she assured us that the girls will be absolutely fine together. They're not attached at the hip, they work independently they play together well but they also play separately and with other kids. They included other kids in their play. I have no concerns about their "individuality". Individuality is created well before school starts, you won't worry about it either They will be together as long as they want, or until it becomes an issue but I don't think it'll ever be an issue-- it's just not in their personalities to be rowdy. They've always been really chill. 

I like them together because I'm not splitting my time between two classrooms. I wouldn't have been able to go to K graduation if they were in separate rooms, I wouldn't have been able to volunteer as much in the classroom if I was going to two different rooms.