Year 5 NAPLAN preparation guide for

Parents in Western Australia

Introduction

By the time children reach year 5, many parents in Western Australia start wondering how to help them prepare effectively for NAPLAN. The aim is never to overload your child with study but to build confidence in reading, writing, and numeracy while keeping learning enjoyable. You might already notice that your child’s curiosity is growing, and their ability to think independently is much stronger than it was in year 3. What they now need from you is calm guidance and structure.

This blog will walk you through practical steps that parents can use at home. You will see how to strengthen reading and writing habits, how to support numeracy naturally, and how to use practice tests without creating pressure. Each step is designed for busy families who want results without stress.

Step 1: understand your child’s current learning level

Every meaningful preparation plan begins with understanding where your child currently stands. At the year 5 level, children already possess basic literacy and numeracy skills, but each child progresses differently. Some read with confidence but struggle with comprehension, while others understand stories deeply but need support with spelling or grammar.

Spend time observing how your child learns. When reading, notice whether they understand the deeper meaning of passages or if they focus only on finishing quickly. During numeracy activities, see whether they can explain their reasoning clearly. These small observations tell you which areas need attention.

Talk with your child’s teacher about classroom performance and areas for improvement. Teachers can share valuable insights into patterns you might not notice at home. Once you know your child’s strengths and gaps, it becomes easier to plan short and focused sessions each week rather than overwhelming them with random activities.

This clarity helps you guide them with confidence and ensures every effort you make supports steady progress.

Step 2: build a strong reading habit at home

Reading is at the heart of NAPLAN success, and for year 5 students, it should go beyond decoding words. At this level, your child must be able to understand themes, make inferences, and connect ideas. A daily reading habit is one of the most powerful ways to achieve this.

Choose books that match your child’s interests. Adventure, science, nature, or humour — anything that sparks curiosity works well. The goal is consistency rather than quantity. Ten to fifteen minutes of reading every day can do more good than long sessions once a week.

When reading together, talk about the story. Ask your child what they think might happen next or why a character made a certain choice. Encourage them to express their opinion in full sentences. These conversations develop comprehension naturally.

Include different reading materials. Magazines, online articles, and short factual texts are all valuable. This variety helps your child become comfortable with the range of texts used in NAPLAN reading sections.

If your child finds certain words difficult, write them on a small notepad and explore them together later. Using new words in conversation helps them stick. Over time, this builds vocabulary, confidence, and love for reading.

Step 3: strengthen writing skills through simple daily practice

Writing in year 5 requires structure and expression. Children must learn to organise ideas clearly and support them with detail. Many parents assume writing practice needs long essays, but short daily writing moments work best.

Encourage your child to keep a small journal where they write about their day. Ask open questions, such as what made you laugh today or what was something you learned that surprised you. This form of personal writing teaches children to express thoughts naturally while practising grammar and punctuation.

Discuss the difference between creative and factual writing. In NAPLAN, children might need to describe, explain, or persuade. Introduce each style gently. For example, after reading a story, ask them to write a short summary. Another day, let them describe a place they love. The key is variety without pressure.

Always focus on clarity rather than length. Praise ideas, effort, and vocabulary improvement. When your child sees writing as a way to communicate rather than as an exam task, they build confidence that reflects directly in NAPLAN writing assessments.

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Step 4: support numeracy through real-life connections

Numeracy in year 5 is about understanding rather than memorising formulas. Children must see how numbers work in real situations. Every day experiences are the best classroom for this.

Invite your child into daily problem-solving moments. When cooking, ask them to measure ingredients or double a recipe. When shopping, talk about discounts and prices. When driving, estimate the time it will take to reach a place based on distance. These small conversations strengthen number sense far better than worksheets alone.

Encourage them to explain their thinking aloud. For instance, if they solve a calculation, ask how they reached the answer. This helps you see whether they understand the concept or are just guessing.

You can also play simple games that involve numbers — estimating totals, predicting outcomes, or spotting patterns. These activities make numeracy lively and engaging.

The main aim is to show that mathematics exists everywhere. When children see numbers as part of daily life, they feel less anxious and approach NAPLAN numeracy tasks with natural confidence.

Step 5: Use practice tests wisely and confidently

Practice tests are useful when used correctly. The mistake many families make is relying on them too early or too often. In year 5, the purpose of practice tests is to build familiarity and timing, not to memorise answers.

Start introducing short practice sessions a few months before the actual test. One section at a time is enough. For example, you can do a reading practice one week and a numeracy practice the next. Avoid doing full-length tests too frequently, as this can lead to fatigue.

Always review practice sessions together. Ask your child which questions felt easy and which were confusing. Discuss how they approached the harder ones. Encourage them to explain their reasoning so you can identify where understanding needs reinforcement.

If your child makes errors, guide them gently rather than correcting immediately. Let them try again and find their own way to the solution. This builds resilience and analytical thinking.

Keep sessions short and balanced with fun activities. The goal is steady familiarity with the test style while maintaining a calm mindset.

Step 6: Create a calm and balanced routine

A well-planned routine makes preparation smoother and less stressful. Year 5 children already juggle schoolwork, hobbies, and social growth. Your goal is to add structure without removing enjoyment.

Set a predictable but flexible schedule. A few minutes of reading before bedtime, a short writing task after dinner, or a quick numeracy chat during breakfast can make learning feel natural.

Avoid long study hours. Children learn best when energy levels are high. Plan short sessions during calm parts of the day rather than forcing study when they are tired.

Balance academic practice with physical activity. Movement helps the brain process information more effectively. Encourage outdoor play, short walks, or creative hobbies. These keep your child mentally refreshed.

During preparation months, remind your child that NAPLAN is simply one way to measure progress. Reinforce the idea that learning is about growth, not comparison. Your steady encouragement creates a sense of security that helps them perform at their best.

Conclusion

Year 5 NAPLAN preparation does not need to feel complicated. When you focus on understanding your child’s level, building reading and writing habits, supporting numeracy through real experiences, and maintaining calm practice, progress happens naturally.

Champion Tutors believes that preparation is about building confidence, not pressure. Our programs for year 5 students in Western Australia follow this same philosophy. We create structured learning plans that combine reading comprehension, writing fluency, and numeracy reasoning with warmth and patience.

If you ever feel your child could use guided support, our tutors can design a personalised plan that fits their pace and learning style. Every session focuses on encouragement, understanding, and steady improvement. With your positive involvement at home and professional guidance when needed, your child will approach NAPLAN with calm confidence and a love for learning that lasts beyond the test.

Ready to get started?

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9 Helpful links for parents

NAPLAN information for parents
https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan

NAPLAN public demonstration site
https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site

ACARA parent resources
https://www.acara.edu.au/resources

Western Australia Department of Education literacy and numeracy programs
https://www.education.wa.edu.au

Cluey Learning NAPLAN practice materials
https://www.clueylearning.com.au/naplan-practice-tests-past-papers

10 Resources used

ACARA NAPLAN parent information
https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan

NAPLAN demonstration questions
https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site

Matrix Education reading and writing guides
https://www.matrix.edu.au

Cluey Learning NAPLAN preparation support
https://www.clueylearning.com.au

Western Australia Department of Education learning framework
https://www.education.wa.edu.au