“Give my child a multiplication question, and they get it right. Put the same calculation into a story, and they do not know where to begin.”
Does this sound familiar?
Your child may know their times tables, add accurately and complete calculation worksheets confidently. Yet a Maths question about shopping, time or sharing leaves them confused.
For parents preparing a child for Year 5 NAPLAN numeracy, this can be frustrating. You can see that they have mathematical knowledge, but they struggle to use it independently.
The starting point is to identify where the difficulty occurs: understanding the question, choosing an operation, completing the calculation or interpreting the answer.
Why Word Problems Matter in NAPLAN Numeracy
NAPLAN numeracy assesses how students apply mathematical knowledge and skills. It includes understanding, fluency, problem-solving and reasoning across number, algebra, measurement, space, statistics and probability.
Word problems are one way learners encounter these skills. They may need to connect a situation to a calculation, interpret a table or decide whether their answer makes sense.
Consider the difference between these questions:
Calculate 6 × 8.
A teacher arranges 8 chairs in each of 6 rows. How many chairs are there altogether?
Both lead to the same calculation. However, the second requires the learner to recognise six equal groups of eight.
If your child struggles with that connection, more times-table practice alone may not address the difficulty.
Four Reasons Your Child May Get Stuck
1. They Start Calculating Before Understanding the Question
Some children select the numbers and immediately add, subtract, multiply or divide.
Ask them to explain the situation before calculating:
“What is happening, and what do we need to find?”
This helps separate interpreting the problem from solving it.
2. They Rely Too Heavily on Keywords
A word such as “altogether” can be helpful, but choosing an operation from one word can lead to mistakes.
Compare:
There are 24 counters altogether, shared equally among 6 children. How many does each child receive?
The word “altogether” appears, but the calculation is division:
24 ÷ 6 = 4
Encourage your child to think about the relationship between the quantities rather than memorising keyword rules.
3. They Miss a Second Step
A learner may complete the first calculation correctly and stop before answering the actual question.
For example, they might calculate the cost of several items but forget to find the change.
Ask:
“Does this answer tell us what the question asked?”
4. They Need Support With Mathematical Language
Words such as “difference,” “remaining,” “each” and “equal groups” carry important meaning.
Discuss them using practical situations. Sharing counters, comparing prices or reading a timetable can help your child connect the language to an action.
A Five-Step Method for Solving Word Problems
Teach your child to work through this routine:
- Read: Read the whole question carefully.
- Identify: State what must be found.
- Represent: Use a sketch, table or number sentence.
- Calculate: Carry out the necessary steps.
- Check: Decide whether the answer fits the situation.
The representation does not need to be elaborate. A few labelled groups or a simple calculation can make the structure clearer.
Worked Example 1: Equal Groups
Question: A school buys 7 boxes of pencils. Each box contains 12 pencils. How many pencils does the school buy?
Understand the situation: There are seven equal groups of twelve.
Number sentence:
7 × 12 = 84
Answer: The school buys 84 pencils.
Check: Seven boxes must contain more than twelve pencils. The answer is reasonable.
Parent prompt: “What does the number 7 represent? What does 12 represent?”
Your child’s explanation helps you check understanding.
Worked Example 2: A Two-Step Money Problem
Question: Noah buys 3 notebooks costing $4 each. He pays with $20. How much change should he receive?
First, find the total cost:
3 × $4 = $12
Then subtract the cost from the amount paid:
$20 − $12 = $8
Answer: Noah should receive $8 change.
If your child answers $12, acknowledge the correct first step, then ask:
“You have found the cost. What do we still need to find?”
This helps them complete the reasoning without simply supplying the answer.
Worked Example 3: Fractions of a Quantity
Question: There are 32 students in a group. Three-quarters choose swimming. How many students choose swimming?
First, find one-quarter:
32 ÷ 4 = 8
Then find three-quarters:
8 × 3 = 24
Answer: 24 students choose swimming.
Check: Three-quarters is more than half but less than the whole group. Twenty-four fits that description.
A drawing of four equal groups can help explain why the calculation works.
Worked Example 4: Time
Question: A lesson begins at 10:35 a.m. and lasts 50 minutes. What time does it finish?
Break the duration into manageable parts:
10:35 a.m. + 25 minutes = 11:00 a.m.
There are another 25 minutes remaining:
11:00 a.m. + 25 minutes = 11:25 a.m.
Answer: The lesson finishes at 11:25 a.m.
A timeline can help your child see the movement across the hour.
These examples are original practice questions, rather than official NAPLAN test items.
Five Practice Questions to Try Together
Ask your child to explain their method for each question.
- A library places 9 books on each of 6 shelves. How many books are on the shelves?
- Zara buys 4 pens costing $3 each. She pays with $20. How much change should she receive?
- A class has 28 learners. One-quarter bring lunch from home. How many learners bring lunch from home?
- A bus leaves at 9:45 a.m. The journey takes 35 minutes. What time does it arrive?
- A teacher has 45 stickers. She gives 5 stickers to each of 7 learners. How many stickers remain?
Answers: 1. 54 books; 2. $8; 3. 7 learners; 4. 10:20 a.m.; 5. 10 stickers.
A wrong answer is a starting point for discussion. Find out which step caused difficulty before choosing more practice.
A Manageable Practice Plan for Parents
Begin with three short sessions a week, adjusting the length to your child’s attention and needs.
Session 1: Understand the Situation
Choose two questions. Ask your child to explain them and represent them with sketches or number sentences.
Focus on choosing a suitable method.
Session 2: Solve and Explain
Use similar questions with different numbers. Let your child work independently, then explain their steps.
Discuss any errors together.
Session 3: Mix the Question Types
Include a small selection of money, time, sharing and fraction problems.
This helps your child practise selecting a method when the question type is not announced.
Start with accuracy and understanding. Introduce timed practice gradually once the approach becomes more secure.
Help Your Child Become Familiar With the Online Format
The official NAPLAN public demonstration site lets families explore question types and the test interface. It can help your child practise navigating questions and using the available response tools.
You can explore the official NAPLAN demonstration site together.
Keep the focus on familiarity and calm participation. Use everyday schoolwork and teacher feedback alongside practice questions to understand your child’s wider learning needs.
When Should You Consider Year 5 Maths Tutoring?
Additional support may be useful when your child:
- Calculates correctly but repeatedly chooses the wrong operation.
- Needs you to explain nearly every written question.
- Struggles to connect fractions or multiplication to practical situations.
- Completes one step but misses the rest of the problem.
- Is becoming reluctant to attempt Maths independently.
A tutor should identify the specific difficulty and teach strategies your child can use without constant prompting.
Look for progress in how they begin questions, explain decisions and check answers, alongside changes in assessment results.
How Glareminds Supports Year 5 Learners in Australia
Glareminds offers personalised, one-to-one live online tutoring for learners studying the Australian curriculum.
Our Maths support can focus on number skills, fractions, measurement, interpreting information and solving practical problems, according to your child’s needs.
We begin with a free 30–40-minute academic consultation to explore strengths and learning gaps. Parents can share school assignments, teacher feedback and assessment results to guide the discussion.
Lessons include clear explanations, worked examples, guided practice and independent problem-solving. Weekly parent reports help you follow progress and understand the next priorities.
Learn more about our online private tutoring for Nigerian and African families in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
My child knows their times tables. Why are word problems still difficult?
They may need help recognising when multiplication applies. Knowing a calculation fact and identifying the calculation required are different parts of solving a problem.
Should my child practise only word problems?
Include them within a balanced approach. Use their schoolwork and teacher feedback to identify other numeracy skills that require attention.
How can I help without giving away the answer?
Ask questions such as “What do we need to find?” and “Could you draw the situation?” Give them time to think before offering another prompt.
What if my child keeps making the same mistake?
Compare a few examples to identify the pattern. They may need a clearer explanation of a concept, a different representation or focused practice on an earlier skill.
Help Your Child Approach Maths Problems With Confidence
If your child can calculate but struggles to make sense of written problems, focused support can help them connect their knowledge to the task.
Book a free 30–40-minute online academic consultation with Glareminds to identify learning gaps and discuss a personalised Maths support plan.
Visit our Australian private tutoring page to enquire about Year 5 Maths and NAPLAN numeracy support.