My triplets(BBG) will be starting Kindergarten in the fall. There will be only two classes so my question is does it work out well to keep them together? I would like to keep them together for all kinds of reasons. Their two preschool teachers suggested that I keep the "younger" one in a separate class so he doesn't compare himself to the other two who are more advanced in certain areas. One of the Kindergarten teachers suggested that I don't put him by himself so he doesn't feel like he is the odd one out - because sometimes he picks up on what the other two are doing and gets frustrated that he can't do things as well. He may already sense he can't do as much and the Kindergarten teacher thinks this may intensify the feeling. The preschool teachers think that he may do better away from the other two. In my heart I would like to see them together. I know the rest of their school years they will probably be put in different classrooms. The Kindergarten teacher says that in the class she has a wide range of what kids can do so the younger one is not going to feel like he can't keep up. What is our experience as far as discipline with the teachers with all three of them together? I could go on and on with all my concerns and questions. Thanks for any advice/suggestions/experiences/things you would have done differently?

How many first grade classes are offered? The reason I asked is that I kept my boys together in kindergarten because there were two AM classes and two PM classes and I couldn't find a "clean" way of splitting them up. It was too hard on the schedule.

So I kept them together in kindergarten and split them in first grade. It has worked out very well. One of my boys that was slow to read has actually done so well. Everyone is reading above grade level so it's just fine. Everyone progresses at their own level.

I guess I'm not very much help here, am I?

Sharon
7 year old b/b/b + 10 year old son

When my bbb were going to start Kindergarten there were only 2 morning classes and two afternoon classes. I would not split them up between AM and PM because that would make for a crazy schedule. So I pulled each triplet aside and explained the situation to him and asked how he would like to be placed. I explained that one child could be alone and the other two together. Each child said that he wanted to be with his brother and that one of his brothers could be the one alone in the other Kindergarten. We put them all together.

I don't feel that that is the best idea but that's what we did. The perfect scenario would be for each one to be in his own class

mom to:
Ryan 32 The Lawyer
Jason 30 The Chief Meteorologist
Chris 30 The College Student
Tim 30 The college grad

I love hearing their versions of their childhood memories!!

I think my situation was a little reversed - I have one daughter who is very hard working, competitive - and likes to be in control of everyone. The girls were all together for a preschool class, and while they all got along well and were independent, it seemed to be the other two would benefit by being given a chance to have their own class. Since their school only had two classes, I split them 2 and one. The two that were together did very well - and weren't overshadowed by their sister, who loved having her 'own' class. It was nice to have that separation, so there wasn't a daily comparison between one that was a little more advanced and her sisters....

Now (by their request) they all have separate classes for first grade.

Love'em all!!
B,E,S g/g/g 12/96 @32 weeks
R g 6/98
T b 8/00
D b 1/04

Love'em all!!
B,E,S g/g/g 12/96 @32 weeks
R g 6/98
T b 8/00
D b 1/04

Hi: We had the same situation as Sharon, but we decided to split them among the 2 am classes (2/1). Going forward all the grades have 2 classes, so we chose to start splitting them 2 and 1 right away. What I did do beforehand though, was talk to them about what they thought they would like to see happen. In my conversation with them, I made it sound as though the school would be the one to make the decision on where they were placed...but I wanted to see what they thought about "taking turns" having their own teacher. They immediately LOVED the idea of having their own teachers and my most outgoing child said he would love to go first. We chose to have our "shy" one as the last to go on his own...he seemed the most reluctant and our principal was really wanted to focus on making sure they were comfortable the first year of school.

The boys are now in 1st grade, and have been switching off 2/1 for 2 years now. My "shy guy" is looking forward to being on his own next year. The best part is, he thinks it is his idea.

So I would advocate having a conversation w/them...I just made sure that they knew that it was not our decision (even though it was) so that if disagreements arose, they would not be set on it.

Kelly

Some, maybe most, schools try to impose what they feel is the right way to go, on you. YOU have the right to decide where your children should go !!!!! Every child and every child who is a multiple is different ! The 'group dynamic' is different among every group of siblings too. So how can the school administrators say that 'they know best' ?!!
There is no right or wrong way to go about it !! It is not ideal for everyone to split up their kids, just as it is not ideal for everyone to keep their kids together. Moms who say that it is harder on them, logistically to seperate their kids, but they are doing THE right thing for their kids (and are implying it is right for all kids) are doing a disservice to others in my opinion. Parents do know their individual kids, their school situation, the teachers and all of the other factors that need to be considered better than anyone else, obviously !
So it is important that you not feel pressured by ANYONE including others with multiples to do things THE right way.
THE right way doesn't exist.

The thing that I have obseved with MY kids, is that they will always be competetive with each other, overtly or in more subtle ways. They are also very supportive of each other, and always will be. They learn from each other and challenge each other in many ways. They have done fine together and apart. We also have only 2 classes in each grade, and have had to, each year decide based on the teachers, the individual strengths academically/socially and how each child feels about being together or seperated.
Please don't feel guilty if you decide to keep them together, because it is the best scenario for YOU. Maybe it would be easier for you to volunteer in the classroom that way, and observe for yourself how everyone is doing. Nothing is 'set in stone' and it is always ok to talk to the administrators and teachers about switching your kids around, if something isn't working.

Lorraine

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My boys will be starting kindergarten in the fall too, and I am requesting that they all be kept together. One of my sons has a mild case of CP and has always been more delayed than his brothers....but he definitely does better because he tries to keep up with his brothers. His physical therapist is always amazed at how well he does, and I'm sure it has helped since he has his brothers.

In future years I think I would still like to keep them either all together or all seperate. I just don't want one to feel left out. Of course, as the years go by and their personalites change I may feel differently.

Angel (mom to Justin, Andrew, Brandon 9 yrs, Angie 15 yrs)