It's a Twin Thing

About a year ago I wrote a blog post about the "Florida Twin Project," a study that my twins are participating in. This summer I received another research packet from Florida State University asking me if I would like to continue to participate in the study. Because I am very interested in the mystery that is twins, I agreed to have my girls continue to participate.

The main purpose of the study is to find out how much genetics vs. environment influence a child's ability to read. So far the study has found that various types of reading skills are influenced by a common set of genes. It has also found that beyond genetic factors, kids in high quality classrooms were able to reach their potential much more easily than those who were not in high quality classrooms. Not much of a mystery there. The need for good teachers and the need for schools that are committed to a high quality of education is as important as ever.

In addition to the information about the study, the newsletter also listed a few "Twin Fun Facts." I thought I would share them with you. I find them interesting, maybe you will too.

Twin Fun Facts-

• Identical twins share the same DNA, but will have their own fingerprints.
  
• China has the lowest rate of twinning in the world, about 1/300 births.
  
• Once you have had one set of fraternal twins you are 3 to 4 times more likely to have another set. (Yikes, that's why our twins were my last pregnancy!)
  
• Gemellology is the study of twins and the phenomenon of twinning.
  
• The average time between the delivery of the first and second twin is 17 minutes. (Mine were born 1 minute apart...thanks Doc!)
  
• The Florida State Twin Registry includes over 2,600 pairs of twins and other multiples, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world.