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.
Educational research consistently shows that confidence and academic achievement are closely linked.
Children who believe they can improve are more willing to:
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.
NAPLAN assesses students in:
Rather than ranking students, the results indicate whether they are:
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.
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:
These conversations help children see learning as a journey rather than a competition.
The most successful learners rarely improve overnight.
Confidence is built through small, consistent successes:
These habits reduce anxiety while helping children experience regular progress, which naturally builds motivation.
Instead of seeing the report as the end of the process, use it as a guide for future learning.
A simple approach is:
Choose the area that needs the most improvement rather than trying to tackle everything at once.
Short practice sessions several times a week are generally more effective than occasional long study sessions.
Recognise improvements in effort, confidence and understanding—not just marks.
Teachers can often explain which skills contributed to your child's results and recommend strategies to reinforce learning at home.
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:
The aim isn't simply to prepare children for another test—it's to help them develop skills they will use throughout their schooling.
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.
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.