Probably one of the greatest things that's ever happened to the twins was getting accepted to
Carver Early Childhood Academy for preschool. Located in far north Amarillo, in what many would refer to as the "ghetto," Carver is a magnet school with the best teacher/student ratio of any public school in town.
I'll never forget orientation day, however, when the principal told me of their "twins policy." Carver insists on separating twins, and, despite natural reservations, I felt I had to trust their expertise. So, although Evan and Owen get to share lunch and recess, they are in separate preschool classes.
Has this been a good decision? That's debatable. They love their classes and their teachers, however their preschool experiences have been vastly different. And it's hard, as their mom, to watch one come home to show me a really cool project he completed, while the other has nothing to show me. Or hearing how one went on a super-cool field trip, but the other one doesn't get to go until next week and it doesn't involve a sack lunch. It's the little things... I can definitely tell that one twin gets more positive reinforcement from his teacher than the other.
The twins are surprisingly supportive of each other and have almost never gotten truly jealous of each others experiences. But, at the same time, I think things would be better if they were together in class. Although they both get great grades and do well in school, I think they'd be even better off together, to share similar experiences, support each other and give each other confidence. The blessing of being an identical twin is so unique, and I think it needs to be held sacred in school.
I like the way reporter Pamela Prindle Fierro states the phenomenon on
About.com:
Nonmultiples can perhaps relate the experience to a relationship with a spouse. Certainly, you could face the challenges of day-to-day life without the presence of your beloved, but doesn't it make it easier and more enjoyable when you're together? Thus it is with multiples in the school environment. Proponents of separation argue that having multiples together in the classroom is a distraction; however it can be just as distracting to sever the bond. Children who are wondering "What's my twin doing? Where is she? Why aren't we together? Were we separated because we were bad?" can't favorably focus on their school work.
So, next year, if the kids advance to kindergarten, which the teachers say is the right decision, we hope Carver will respect our wishes to put them in the same class.
Same teacher, similar friends, same homework, same field trips, same chances to cheer each other on and foster each others strengths. They're best friends, and they work at their very best when they're together.
