Currently, my 6 year old triplets are finishing up Kindergarten. It is amazing what they have learned this year and I am so impressed with their school (Sunset Ridge Elementary) and the education they have received. I'm just thrilled!
In speaking with other parents, I often get the question, "Now, are your triplets in the same class room or are they seperated?" The answer...the two boys are together and my daughter is by herself next door. Selfishly, I always wanted the three together because I thought the homework and other activities in and outside of the class room would be easier...but in the end, it didn't really matter. The home work was different but not that different and wouldn't take that much longer to finish.
The concern I have now, is that two of my three WANT to be in the same class and the other (one of the boys) wants to be in his own class, FAR AWAY from his brother. I can understand this, because during the course of the year, the one son would aggreviate the you know what out of the other son causing, total melt down. Fun, fun, fun.
In speaking with one of the future first grade teachers, I was told that it is good to separate multiples so each can bloom into their own person and really shine...away from any shadow of a sibling. However, my daughter, has an auto immune condition known as Alopecia and is bald. I think she is looking for some security in her other brother and that's why she is requesting the two of them be together. How do I may this happen, when the class list have already been put together for next year without, causing chaos among the teachers and switching things around?
I'm just trying to do what I think and hope is right for the best learning experience my kids can have.
Lisa_SchneiderCipriano is a discussion leader in the North, North very tip of Phoenix for arizonamoms.com. She has 6 year old triplets.
I would have a very frank
I would have a very frank discussion with the principal about your daughter's possible insecurity.
I agree that it's good for twins, triplets, etc. to be split up and develop individually but in this case, I think you've got a strong argument for keeping your daughter and one son together.
I'm in a different school district that you, but I know that the teachers are still making last-minute tweaks to classes so if you act now, the school might still have some flexibility.
Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 7 and 3.
I agree with the last entry.
I agree with the last entry. When I worked at an elementary school we would sit down with any written requests and do our best to honor them before the beginning of the school year. I think speaking to the principal in the best idea, and depending on the choice of teachers, you may still want to consider separating them to help her get some confidence at an early age while children are still resilient. A great teacher can make a big difference in how the class reacts.
My sister has her 6 yr old
My sister has her 6 yr old triplets who are finishing kindergarten and entering 1st grade next year, in the same class. She heard all of the same stuff about kids needing to blossom, etc. I'd have to check, but I'm fairly certain that she did a lot of research and she found that new studies suggest that keeping multiples together as long as THEY want, is preferable. Of course, if the teacher sees that the kids are not able to be independent, then that's another issue. But, in my sister's case, I think that her kids play with one another and turn to one another if there's a reason (a fall, etc.), but otherwise, you'd be hard pressed to pick out the triplets by observing on any given day. They work at their own levels and are doing well together. She plans to keep them together next year too.
"Only a life lived for others, is the life worthwhile" - Albert Einstein