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Dominance & Dependence

The classic situation is that of dominance of one multiple over the others, but just how many forms may dominance take?

• Neither child domist how many forms may dominance take?
  • Neither child dominates
  • One always dominates
  • The children alternate dominance
  • Dominance varies according to the situation or activity

  In the preschool years, many parents say that dominance varies from day to day. Although one child may dominate in the home situation, this may not be the case particularly when the children start school. Observation of the children, particularly in a play situation, may help to determine which child, if any, is dominant, the nature of the dominance and whether this appears to be adversely affecting their learning. Where one child is always dominant, even speaking for the other, the dependent child may find it difficult to function effectively in school. However, the dominant twin may be more affected if separated, as they are no longer able to organise their co-twin.

  "When they are playing, she is always in charge. The other day she had a lead on him and he had to follow her around being the dog. When I told her to stop doing that, he said that he liked being the dog."