Kip McGrath can support your child’s NAPLAN experience

Each year, a significant proportion of classroom time is devoted to preparing students for NAPLAN, the National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy.

The test is administered to students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 throughout Australia, however, it is not connected to the Australian curriculum.

The purpose of the exam is not to assess how well a child can repeat or rehearse class material but rather to provide a snapshot of both your child’s individual progress, and the school’s, in meeting basic numeracy and literacy benchmarks compared to the national average.

For parents undergoing NAPLAN testing for the first time in Year 3 or again in Year 5, it can raise many questions, anxieties, or concerns:
Will my child need to prepare?

While the natural instinct for most parents is to help their child “prepare” for NAPLAN, this may do more harm than good, as there is no way to prepare to ‘pass’ the assessment. NAPLAN tests are designed to assess a child’s basic literacy and numeracy skills as they progress throughout school. Preparing, or cramming, for a NAPLAN test may only increase your child’s anxiety regarding academic performance.

Positive steps you can take to support your child for NAPLAN include:

• Providing your child with a safe, calm, and encouraging environment at home throughout the year, so that they can focus on schoolwork.
• Increasing your child’s basic numeracy and literacy skills throughout the year by consistently completing homework, and where the child may be struggling with key concepts, seek maths or English tuition services. Find opportunities to increase your child’s numeracy and literacy skills within the home, such as reading books together before bed.
• Avoid focusing on the NAPLAN test as the only benchmark of his or her academic abilities. Many children excel in other areas such as science or the creative arts.

What exam questions are in the NAPLAN test?

If wish to reduce anxiety about exams, Kip McGrath Torquay will familiarise students with a range of test questions covering Language Conventions, Sample Writing Prompt, Reading Magazine, Example Reading Test, Example Numeracy Test.

NAPLAN familiarity sessions Wednesday, April 13.
9am – Literacy $60
10.15am – Maths $60

This is also available to students who do not attend for tutoring.

Bookings close Saturday, April 9 (contact Colleen 0414 298 844).

The goal of preparing for the exam with practice tests, should only be to put your child’s mind at ease.