Fanau matututa e vaaia latou tei laiti refers to the cultural practice of older children
looking after or ‘tending’ their younger toddler-aged siblings, which is common in Samoa
(Mageo 1998). This cultural practice can take up a lot of time for the elder children charged
with the responsibility of care for their younger ones and results in less time for their
studies at home. While there may be much parental support for their children to do better in
school, this cultural practice may lessen their achievement.