NAPLAN Results Are Here: How to Build Your Child's Confidence and Support Their Next Steps

By Pascal Press I August 5th, 2026 | Last Updated August 5th, 2026

Across Australia, families are receiving their children's 2026 NAPLAN results. While recent headlines have focused on declining performance in some areas—particularly Year 3 mathematics—it's important to remember what NAPLAN is actually designed to do.

NAPLAN is not a report card on your child's intelligence or future success. Instead, it provides a snapshot of where they are currently sitting in key literacy and numeracy skills, helping parents and teachers identify strengths, recognise areas for improvement and plan the next stage of learning.

For many children, seeing their results can bring mixed emotions. Some will feel proud, while others may feel disappointed or compare themselves with classmates. As parents and educators, our response can have a lasting impact on how children view learning and their own abilities.

Confidence Comes Before Achievement

Educational research consistently shows that confidence and academic achievement are closely linked.

Children who believe they can improve are more willing to:

• Attempt challenging questions
• Learn from mistakes
• Ask for help when needed
• Persist when work becomes difficult

This is known as a growth mindset—the understanding that abilities develop through practice, effective strategies and perseverance rather than being fixed from birth.

A child who views their NAPLAN results as feedback is far more likely to continue improving than one who sees the results as a judgement of their ability.

What Do NAPLAN Results Actually Mean?

NAPLAN assesses students in:

• Reading
• Writing
• Spelling
• Grammar and punctuation
• Numeracy

Rather than ranking students, the results indicate whether they are:

• Exceeding expectations
• Strong
• Developing
• Needing additional support

These categories help identify which skills may need more attention. For example, a child may demonstrate strong reading comprehension while requiring extra practice with fractions or persuasive writing.

The goal isn't to focus on the overall result—it's to understand which specific skills need strengthening.

If Your Child Didn't Get the Result They Hoped For

It's natural for children to feel disappointed if their results weren't what they expected. Instead of focusing on the score itself, try shifting the conversation.

Rather than asking:

"Why didn't you do better?"

Try asking:

• What part of the test did you find easiest?
• Which questions felt tricky?
• Is there one area you'd like to improve this year?
• What can we practise together?

These conversations help children see learning as a journey rather than a competition.

Small Improvements Lead to Big Progress

The most successful learners rarely improve overnight.

Confidence is built through small, consistent successes:

• reading for 15–20 minutes each day
• completing short maths activities regularly
• practising writing a little each week
• reviewing mistakes and understanding why the correct answer works.

These habits reduce anxiety while helping children experience regular progress, which naturally builds motivation.

Turning NAPLAN Feedback Into a Learning Plan

Instead of seeing the report as the end of the process, use it as a guide for future learning.

A simple approach is:

Identify one priority

Choose the area that needs the most improvement rather than trying to tackle everything at once.

Practise consistently

Short practice sessions several times a week are generally more effective than occasional long study sessions.

Celebrate progress

Recognise improvements in effort, confidence and understanding—not just marks.

Work with the school

Teachers can often explain which skills contributed to your child's results and recommend strategies to reinforce learning at home.

Building Skills With the Right Resources

Having targeted learning materials can make practice feel more achievable.

At Pascal Press, our curriculum-aligned workbooks are designed to help students strengthen specific literacy and numeracy skills through structured, manageable activities that build confidence step by step.

Depending on your child's year level and learning needs, families may find support through:

• Excel Basic Skills for building strong literacy and numeracy foundations.
• Back to Basics NAPLAN workbooks for familiarising students with question styles and reinforcing key concepts.
• Excel Test Zone and Excel Test Skills for students preparing for future assessments.
• Subject-specific revision books that provide additional practice where learning gaps have been identified.

The aim isn't simply to prepare children for another test—it's to help them develop skills they will use throughout their schooling.

Every Child Learns at Their Own Pace

This year's NAPLAN results have sparked important conversations about literacy and numeracy across Australia, particularly following concerns about younger students' mathematics performance. At the same time, education leaders continue to emphasise that NAPLAN should be used as a tool for identifying where students need support rather than defining their potential.

Every child has strengths, and every child develops at their own pace.

With encouragement, consistent practice and the right support, today's learning gaps can become tomorrow's achievements.

Rather than asking, "How did my child compare?", a more powerful question is:

"What can we do next to help them keep growing?"

Because confidence isn't built by getting every answer right, it's built by believing that every challenge is another opportunity to learn.

When Should You Start?

The earlier, the better, but it's never too late. Whether your child has just received their first Year 3 NAPLAN results or is preparing for future assessments in Years 5, 7 or 9, regular practice can help build both skills and confidence. NAPLAN should be viewed as a guide for future learning, not a final judgement. By focusing on consistent improvement and using targeted learning resources, parents can help children strengthen their literacy and numeracy skills while developing the confidence to tackle new challenges at school and beyond.

👉 Click here to explore our full range of NAPLAN workbooks at Pascal Press today.

Pascal Press study guides and workbooks are available at major Australian retailers including Big W, Officeworks, and independent bookshops, as well as online at pascalpress.com.au.