It is helpful to occasionally check your child's reading.  Have your child read a recipe to you while you prepare it (or visa versa), read part of an newspaper or magazine article, or a portion of what book they are reading.  If your child frequently stumbles over simple words, perhaps they need to increase time reading to improve this skill.  By modeling reading (the family reads for 20 minutes or more on a regularly basis), your child sees that you value reading and learning.