What Your Twin's Teacher Wants You to Know

What Your Twin’s Teacher Wants You to Know

Last updated on December 2nd, 2023 at 09:02 am

My favorite set of twins to teach entered my classroom on a sweltering August evening for Meet the Teacher with their parents in tow. All Kindergarten parents are nervous, but I could see they were worried. Their mom pulled me aside. She explained that one of her sons had special needs. He was assigned to my class. His brother would be across the hall. They had never been separated. She apologized profusely for asking me question after question long after the other parents were gone. It’s okay to ask questions (If you bring Starbucks. Just kidding…a little). Twin parents have unique concerns as their little ones head to school for the first (or fifth) time. Teachers want to help alleviate your anxiety.

Here’s What Your Twin’s Teacher Wants You to Know

We See Your Twins as Individuals

Each year teachers learn the first, middle, and last names of 22 or more students. We work hard to identify the specific needs and gifts of each individual student. It’s no different with twins. We’ll do our best not to call them by each other’s name (please be patient) or refer to them as “the twins”. We’ll assign their seats based on individual learning style and personality in order to provide the best learning environment.

You Are Their Best Advocate

You are the expert on your twins. If you have a concern, please don’t stay silent and hope things change. The Mom mentioned above knew her boys needed to participate in different extracurricular activities. The more introverted twin dreaded participating in the theater programs his brother thrived in. She eventually spoke up. It was one of the best decisions she ever made. Both boys began to blossom when they were free to develop their own interests.

Separating Your Twins Does Not Automatically Mean One Twin Will Get Shortchanged

Most teachers plan lessons as a grade level. Usually each child receives the same assignments, homework, and tests. In most cases, even the type of cupcakes served at class parties are often coordinated as a grade level. This means both of your twins may bring home those dreaded plastic noise makers in their party favor bags (sorry about that). Please try not to worry too much if one twin gets a birthday invitation and the other doesn’t. It may be just what your twins need to begin broadening their friend circles. Children usually handle these sticky situations better than we give them credit for.

You May Be Able to Change Your Mind About Class Placement

Ask your twins what they would like to do. Elementary school is much more rigorous than it used to be. Children have very few choices in their highly scheduled day. If they want to be together, let them try it if permitted in your school. Communicate early on with school staff if it’s not working. You’ll want time to prepare them for a switch if needed and allowed. Make sure you know your state and school’s policy on class placement of twins.

What YourTwin's Teacher WantsYou To Know

We Will Not Compare Your Twins to Each Other, but We Will Compare Them to Their Peers

After the first few months of school your twin’s teacher will want to discuss each twin’s academic and social progress. You should get an idea of whether or not each child is on grade level. What if one twin is struggling and the other is soaring ahead? Each twin will have strengths and weaknesses. We’ll meet them where they are and do our best to provide what they each need. What if they ask why their twin gets to do or have something they don’t? I tell my students fair is not a synonym for same. Each student needs something different to help them achieve their personal best. You can reinforce this idea with your twins at home so they’ll know what to expect.

Melissa Titus taught Kindergarten and 2nd grade in the public school system for ten years. She is taking a break from the education field to begin her new adventure as a SAHM to her boy/girl twins born n July 2016. When she’s not spending time with her husband or taking care of her twins, she loves to write, bake using her great grandmother’s recipes, support others still in the midst of infertility, and explore the great outdoors while attempting to photograph it. You can follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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