Resources for educating multiples
There are a number of resources available to parents and to educators. A number of research studies have been completed and there is also information available in books. We have put together a list of materials that we believe are valuable resources.
Be sure to check your local city, state/province and national laws, there is much legislation around the world that requires schools to collaborate with parents on the classroom placement of their multiples. A few examples of regions with legislation in place – Madrid (Spain), Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia (USA).
Books:
Emotionally Healthy Twins: A New Philosophy for Parenting Two Unique Children, Joan Friedman, 2008
Multiples in School, Australian Multiple Birth Association, 2010. Available through https://www.amba.org.au/publications/school-aged-multiples/item/82-school-aged-multiples
Parenting School-age Twins and Multiples, Christine Baglivi Tinglof, 2007
Twin and Triplet Psychology: A Professional Guide to Working with Multiples, Audrey Sandbank, 1999
Understanding Multiple Birth Children and How They Learn, John Mascazine, 2004
Research Articles:
Alexander, M.T. Educating Multiples in the Classroom: Together or Separate? Early Childhood Educ J 40, 133–136 (2012)
Disselkamp, C., 2006. Drillinge: eine besondere Geschwisterbeziehung, Marburg: Tectum-Verl. Christine Disselkamp completed a study on triplets in school. It is still the major psychological study of triplets worldwide. The English translation is “Triplets: a very special siblings relationship.” At this time it is only available in German.
Feenstra, Coks. What Effect Does Classroom Separation Have on Twins, Behavior, Progress at School, and Reading Abilities? This is a Dutch website but you can translate into English quite easily.
Fraser, Erica (2009) MULTIPLE CHOICE, The Educational Needs and Experiences of Multiple Birth Children was released in 2009. This is a report on a study completed by Twins Trust UK (formerly TAMBA).
Staton, S., Thorpe, K., Thompson, C., & Danby, S. (2012). To separate or not to separate? Parental decision-making regarding the separation of twins in the early years of schooling. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 10(2), 196–208.
Van Leewen, M., Van den Berg, S., Van Beijsterveldt, T., & Boomsma, D. (2005) Effects of Twin Separation in Primary School. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 8(4), 384-391.
Websites:
TWIN EDUCATION: Resources for Parents & Teachers of Twins and Multiples
Being a multiple is very special and there are many web resources that provide general information on twins and multiples. However, this site is dedicated to the educational needs and issues of twins and multiple – birth siblings and their families.
This is a website designed to assist parents, teachers and school administrators with questions about how twins and higher order multiples adjust in School. It covers all ages and educations settings from preschool to adults at university.
The site was developed by Dr Pat Preedy (Education Research Consultant for Twins Trust (UK) and co-author of the original education website) and Dr John R Mascazine (Associate Professor of Education at Ohio Dominican University, Columbus, Ohio) with support from Professor David Hay (Retired Professor of Psychology; Curtin University, Western Australia and former national patron of the Australian Multiple Birth Association (AMBA) and original author of the education website with Pat Preedy).
The aim of this website is to:
- Help everyone more clearly understand the implications of being a multiple;
- Provide accurate information for parents and professionals based upon research;
- Provide guidance and information for those conducting educational research into multiples.
The site contains useful resources for both parents and teachers. There are many inventories that may help professional educators make decisions on such important issues like competition and identity to school placement. Look for the resources (books and articles) that are highly recommended for educators and parents. There are even some prepared slides and accompanying notes on some important school and learning concerns.