Sometimes parents ask how they can best support their children at home when they are reading. Here are a few prompts you can use to help. Many times when a child is stuck on a word, if they will just go back and reread the sentence, they will correct the problem. So a good thing to say would be "Go back and read that again." It gives them a new start at it again.
Another startegy is to remind them to look at the pictures and think about the whole story. It is not cheating to look at the picture. The pictures can be a valuable resource of information for the beginning reader.
A third strategy that needs to be developed by young readers is to "Get your mouth ready" to say the word. Often times just by getting their mouth ready to say the first sound, the word will pop right out of their mouth.
Be sure to give them time to think and problem solve when they are having difficulty. By jumping in to early to solve the problem for them, it denies them the time to use what they do know.By all means do not make this a stressful activity, jump in when the time is right.
To develop fluency, it is helpful to reread the same book or parts of the book. Their reading should sound like talking. Children feel very proud when they can successfully read a book.
After reading a book with your child ask them a few key questions about the story or have them retell the story in their own words. This will build comprehension.
Above all please enjoy this time with your child and experience their growth into great readers.