{"id":4960,"date":"2018-04-20T13:34:40","date_gmt":"2018-04-20T13:34:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theparentsocial.com\/?p=4960"},"modified":"2020-04-17T15:06:06","modified_gmt":"2020-04-17T15:06:06","slug":"twins-separated-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theparentsocial.com\/twins-separated-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Should twins be separated at school?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Primary school places have just been announced so parents of twins\/multiples might now face the dilemma of whether to keep them together in one class or separate them.<\/p>\n

Schools may have a preferred policy, but it is ultimately the parents’ decision and you should be consulted. Twins Trust<\/a> says: “Schools should not have a blanket policy recommending separation or keeping the children together in the same class.”<\/em>\u00a0However, it can be a grey area. If things don’t go your way you can appeal.<\/p>\n

Separating twins: The pros<\/h2>\n
    \n
  • Gain more independence<\/li>\n
  • Greater opportunity to develop individual friendship groups<\/li>\n
  • Develops their individual personalities<\/li>\n
  • Makes it more difficult to make comparisons<\/li>\n
  • Can develop at their own pace<\/li>\n
  • Less potential for rivalry<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Separating twins: The cons<\/h2>\n
      \n
    • It might lead to distress and anxiety<\/li>\n
    • Can be overwhelming<\/li>\n
    • Less convenient (Different points of contact within school, activities on different days, multiple pick ups)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Together: The pros<\/h2>\n
        \n
      • Can be a readymade playmate<\/li>\n
      • Provide each other with moral support<\/li>\n
      • Can help with settling in<\/li>\n
      • More convenient (one point of contact, activities on the same day, one pick up)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Together: The cons<\/h2>\n
          \n
        • Could be difficult to split them up later on<\/li>\n
        • Lack of independence<\/li>\n
        • Not as easy to form different friendship groups<\/li>\n
        • Easier for comparisons to be made<\/li>\n
        • Loss of identity – easier to be branded ‘the twins’ when in the same class (although this can and does still happen in separate classes)<\/li>\n
        • One twin can become over reliant on the other\/one twin can dominate<\/li>\n
        • Can distract each other<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          \"Separated\"

          Separated, but still get to have their school photo together!<\/p><\/div>\n

          Our experience of separating our non-ID twins<\/h2>\n

          My husband and I discussed what we’d do before we applied for infant school. We quickly agreed we’d separate them. They differ a little academically and substantially in character. One tended to dominate a bit more at pre-school.<\/p>\n

          We wanted them to develop their individual personalities and their own friendship groups, and didn’t want direct comparisons (teachers wouldn’t do this deliberately, but I know how easily it happens). As Maria and Gabby were already familiar with the school because of their big sister, I felt it gave them the extra confidence to ‘go it alone.’<\/p>\n