"Reading is a complex cognitive process of decoding symbols in order to construct or derive meaning known as reading comprehension."
After teaching your child phonics the next step would be helping him/her to understand differences between short and long vowels.
My daughter's favorite songs will lead you through the process.
English pronunciation phonetic vowel sounds; video and mp3 – more for adults then kids; with no music
VOWELS Song – for kids
VOWELS (B-I-N-G-O) - song with phonetic symbols for adults and kids
Short Vowels Song - for kids
Long Vowel Sounds – with pictures with no music
Long Vowels – song for kids
Between the Lions: "When Two Vowels Go Walking"
When Two Vowels Go Walking
Phonics Song: That Magic e With Miss Jenny
The Magic e Song –song for kids