Clinical psychologist reveals why twins should learn in the same classroom

Victorian primary schools are being urged to think twice about separating twins into different classrooms, after surprise new findings.

New research has debunked the theory that twins should be separated into different classes at school. Picture: Supplied

New research has found there’s no added benefit to separating twins at school, despite some primary institutions having a “verbal policy” that prevents siblings from being in the same class.

Swinburne University of Technology clinical psychologist Katie Wood, who specialises in twin psychology, has debunked the traditional understanding among educators that splitting up twins at school is valuable to their development.

Through her clinical practice and research, the associate professor found twins don’t have to be in different classrooms to have opportunities to develop their individuality.

“The assumption is the separation of twins in school is beneficial specifically for the development of separate identities,” she said.

“But there’s lots of things teachers can do when they have twins in the same class to support their development, such as sitting them on separate tables and giving them separate days for show and tell.”

Twin brothers Noah and Danny Luethi, were in the same grade prep class before being separated in grade one. Picture: Supplied

Dr Wood said schools should have a flexible policy that takes into account individual needs of twins and their families, with their class arrangements to be reviewed annually.

“One year, parents may decide in consultation with the school, that it’s better for their twins to separate but then the next year, they might decide it’s better for them to be together,” Dr Wood said.

“Your co-twin is often your protective factor, your buffer in life, so to lose that buffer when you start school can be quite traumatic … So I really advocate for that not one-size-fits-all approach.”

When Melbourne mum Deb Luethi enrolled her twin sons Noah and Danny, aged seven, into prep in 2022, she wanted them to be in the same class, despite most schools she inquired at wanting to separate them.

“The school (we chose) certainly encouraged us to separate (Noah and Danny) and other twins were put in separate classes, but for our boys’ personalities, it was really important for them to be together,” Ms Luethi said.

After consulting The King David School, the brothers commenced their school journey in the same classroom, before separating the following year.

Twin sisters Abbie and Heidi Rhodes, now in grade 3, were put in separate classrooms from grade prep. Picture: Supplied

Meanwhile, mother-of-three Nicole Geddes chose to separate her eight-year-old identical twin daughters Abbie and Heidi when they started school in 2021, as it was their decision to be in different classrooms.

Ms Geddes said splitting the girls up made it easier for teachers to tell them apart, however it did create some logistic challenges.

“It’s a bit harder on the parents because you need to manage two classrooms … sometimes the girls are on different buses (for excursions) or do swimming lessons at different times, so it’s a juggling act,” she said.

While there’s no official guidelines on whether twins, triplets or even quadruplets, should be separated at school, the Australian Multiple Birth Association recommends parents are best placed to determine what suits their children’s needs, not just the school.

“Parents want to collaborate with the school rather than be told when their twins come to school they have to be in a separate class,” Dr Wood said.

“Some families might want that from the get go, but others often want their twins to stay together.”