Learning to read starts with basic spelling.  Mom's have for years put alphabetical letters on objects and followed the first letter with the completed spelling of the item.  Perhaps the teacher term for this is "Calling your lexicon".  This is using what you know to identify a written word.  Decoding, another teacher term, follows this with learning to spell and recognize words.  Children next recall like sounding and similar words.  Practice increases their skill.  

Many can read but not retain what they read.  This too takes real effort and practice.  Begin slowly and increase your speed as retention is improved.  Memory requires effort to retain.  Think of what you have read before reading the next paragraph.  Recall what you read after each paragraph and graduate to each page.

I wish to introduce you to a new website with great possibilities to help families with young children and perhaps other non-readers.  This webmaster writes about the basics and many other reading issues as the following indicates.

• Tutoring With A Learning Disability
• Tutoring Lesson Plans
• Understanding Learning Disabilities
• Tips for Tutoring in Reading
• How to Find Homework Tutoring