Standard Four is where the primary school journey really starts to pick up speed. Your child is now around age 10 or 11, and this is the year the work of Standard Three starts to pay off or catch up. It's the last full year before SEA, and everything from the curriculum to the homework load to your child's own sense of responsibility shifts up a gear. If you're a parent of a Standard Four student, here's what you can expect, and how to support your child effectively.
When a child is struggling to read, the tablet is usually the first thing parents blame. I understand why — it is the most visible change in how children spend their time. But after years of working with children who read well and children who do not, I have come to believe the question “is screen time bad?” is the wrong question. The better question is: what is the screen time replacing?
If you walk into any primary school across Trinidad and Tobago right now, you can practically feel the "buzz." It’s the sound of SEA preparation; the scratching of pencils on practice tests, the drills on Long Division, and the constant hum of Comprehension exercises.
At The Desha Academy, we believe every child deserves to feel seen, capable, and supported in their learning journey. That's why we're inviting parents, guardians, and the wider Marabella community to our upcoming Open House