It is very important for your child to do their homework every night.  The extra practice with reading will help them become independent readers.  There will usually be a book or paper with sentences for your child to read to you.  When they get to a word they don't know, don't tell it to them.  It is important for them to use their reading strategies to figure out the word.  They have been taught to sound it out, look at the pictures, look at the beginning sound, find chunks they know, and flip the vowel sound.  Please encourage them to use these strategies.  They should also be reviewing their sight words every night. 

I have attached a podcast to help you understand how your child should be sounding out a word.  Thanks for helping your child, and happy reading!