Is my child keeping up at school?
Wondering is normal — knowing is better. This short checklist shows you what's typical for your child's year level, helps you spot where they may need support, and turns it into a practical plan: what to do tonight, this week, and what to ask their teacher.
If you're here because you're worried: most gaps parents notice are common, and they close with the right support. You're doing the right thing by looking.
Built on the research, not guesswork
This isn't a personality quiz. The way we ask questions and the plan you get back draws on published education research from the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO).
Why we ask about "typical" behaviour
Everyday observation, not testing, draws on the same underlying idea behind AERO's Formative Assessment Practice Guide: that noticing how learning is actually going is a legitimate, low-stakes way to check in.
Why the weekly routine is short and spread out
Short, regular practice beats one long cram session - and revisiting a tricky question later, like the Friday review does, is retrieval practice in action. This reflects the same principle behind AERO's Spacing and Retrieval Practice Guide.
Why the examples are year-level specific
Each example is pitched against what's typical for that year level, not a one-size-fits-all bar - so you're comparing like with like, not guessing.
About your child
Two quick things so the checklist matches their stage.
Resources for every stage
Pascal Press has supported Australian schools and families with curriculum-based home learning for over 35 years.
Strong foundations
Phonics, first reading, counting and handwriting — short, playful practice that builds early confidence.
Core skills & NAPLAN
Year-level maths and English practice, plus calm and familiar NAPLAN-style preparation for Years 3 and 5.
High-school essentials
Maths and English fundamentals, study habits and NAPLAN-style practice for Years 7 and 9.
Senior exam success
Structured revision, past-paper practice and study guides for the senior years and final exams.
Common questions
Is this a formal assessment of my child?
No. It's a structured way to organise what you already notice at home, so you can act on it. For a formal picture of progress, your child's teacher and school reports are the right source.
What ages and year levels does it cover?
Kindergarten through Year 12. The questions include examples of what's typical for your child's stage, and the plan — routine, teacher questions and book suggestions — adapts to their year level.
How long does the checklist take?
Around five minutes. There are no test scores to look up — every question is about what you observe day to day, and "Not sure" is always an acceptable answer.
What happens with my answers?
Everything runs on this page in your browser. Your answers aren't stored or sent anywhere. If you copy a link to your plan, the link contains the answers and year level — never your child's name. If you choose to email the plan to yourself, only the details you enter in that form would be used.
What if the result says my child needs support?
That's not a diagnosis — it means you now know where to start. Pick one focus area, use the suggested routine for a few weeks, and share what you've noticed with your child's teacher. The plan gives you the exact questions to ask.
My child is doing well — is this still useful?
Yes. Choose "Extension & challenge" as your concern and the plan will focus on keeping capable learners engaged and stretched, rather than repeating what they already know.