M.P.
I wonder why you use the term Irish twins. Technically they are because they're 11 months apart. The usual definition says born in the same year. I suggest that it's not helpful because there is nearly a year's difference because the age difference puts them in different developmental stages as they grow and start school.
Why do you want them in the same classroom? Actual twins are usually put in different classrooms so they can develop their separate personalities and learn without the expectation of being the same.They are less likely to be compared with each other. Even tho they were born on the same day, they are individuals.
The term Irish twins was started many years ago and was a derogatory term for Irish Catholics because Irish mothers were seen as The term has become common and used in a more general way. Still it was originally derogatory and seen as derogatory by some people.
Do you see an advantage to calling them Irish twins? The term labels them. I believe the less labels we use the more children can become who they are.
"What it means is easy enough to explain. It refers to siblings born in the same calendar year, or otherwise less than twelve months apart. It's clearly a deeply derogatory comment about the stereotypical fecundity (and lack of contraception) of Irish Catholic families.Feb 14, 2004
World Wide Words: Irish twins"