A joyful celebration of UAE Flag Day through the eyes of children — this heartwarming illustration captures Emirati pride, unity, and happiness as young boys and girls in traditional attire run together beneath the waving UAE flag.

Halloween is here — a day of pumpkins, giggles, and imagination! For children with sensory sensitivities, this celebration can be just as magical when approached gently. In this post, I share how to make Halloween inclusive, comforting, and fun, along with my favorite sensory-friendly Halloween books for every age and reading level.

Finding the right tutoring service in Dubai doesn’t have to be expensive. With the right support, children can build confidence, stay motivated, and make real academic progress — all without breaking the bank. In this post, Simone’s Tutoring shares what to look for in affordable tutoring, how to choose the right tutor, and why personalized, flexible lessons can make all the difference.

# Mid-Term Break: A Time for Learning and Fun ## Embrace the Mid-Term Break Hello parents and learners, Can you believe how quickly this term is flying by? The mid-term break is just around the corner next week. I always see it as the perfect opportunity for students to pause, recharge, and keep their learning momentum going. At Simone’s Tutoring , I believe that even a short break can be a chance to reinforce skills, explore new topics, or catch up on areas that need a littl

As the founder of Simone’s Tutoring , I’m always inspired by opportunities that connect language, creativity, and learning. The upcoming Congress of Arabic & Creative Industries 2025 on September 14–15 at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena is one such event. This year’s theme, “Arabic Creativity Reimagined: Innovation in Storytelling and Audience Engagement” , brings together over 40 international speakers including Nadine Labaki, Hend Sabry, Mo Amer, and AI expert Mo Gawdat. The c

Hey there, parents and students! It’s Simone here from Simone’s Tutoring, and I am buzzing with excitement as we approach the new school year in Dubai. With the official 2025–26 academic calendar freshly announced, I want to share how I’m preparing, what you should know, and how best to make the most of this upcoming year—without overstretching your budget. Excited smiles, fresh books, and big dreams — here’s to a bright start to the 2025–26 school year at Simone’s Tutoring!

I know how much of a difference the right tutoring can make in a student’s academic journey. That’s why, at Simone’s Tutoring , I focus...

Assalamu Alaikum dear parents, friends and caregivers I’m so excited to share the release of my latest children’s book: A Little Muslimah’s Ablution Guide  — a gentle, step-by-step story that teaches young Muslim girls how to clean themselves properly after using the toilet, in a way that’s respectful, age-appropriate, and rooted in Islamic values. The idea for this book came from a personal place. As a mother, I was looking for books online to help guide my own daughter thro

What truly motivates a child to learn? In this blog post, I explore the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, how they impact language learning, and why creating a joyful, stress-free environment is key. Whether a student is driven by curiosity or external rewards, understanding their “why” can make all the difference in their learning journey.

In today’s educational landscape, finding quality tutoring services that won't break the bank can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. With many options available, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. However, quality tutoring services can be accessible and affordable. In this blog post, we'll explore what affordable tutoring looks like, the benefits of hiring a tutor, typical rates, and how to find the right fit for your needs. Textbooks and tech: The essentials for eff

Discover fun and no-prep alphabet tracing worksheets designed to support early learners with letter formation and handwriting skills. Perfect for home, classroom, or tutoring sessions—just print and go!

Discover how I use the Raz-Kids reading app at Simone’s Tutoring to help children build reading fluency and comprehension through personalized, engaging lessons. Perfect for early readers and those needing extra support, this post explains the benefits of Raz-Kids and how it fits into my specialized tutoring packages.

When I work with young learners on their reading journey, one of my favorite skills to teach is syllable manipulation —specifically, how to add and delete syllables in words. It might sound simple, but it’s a powerful tool that helps children build stronger phonological awareness, which is key to becoming confident readers and writers. 🧠 What Is Syllable Manipulation? Syllables are the natural “beats” in words. For example, the word banana  has three syllables: ba-na-na . Wh

Summer holidays are a time for fun, rest, and quality family time—but they can also come with something called the “summer slide.”...

As a tutor who works closely with young children, I often meet parents who ask, “Why does my child say wabbit  instead of rabbit ?”Or,“Should I be worried if my child says yion  instead of lion ?” You’re not alone—and I want to assure you, these kinds of speech sound mix-ups are very common during early development. Some of the most frequent sounds children struggle with include: /r/  – often swapped for /w/ (e.g., wabbit  for rabbit ) /l/  – sometimes becomes /y/ (e.g., yemo

Learning a new language can be an exciting adventure, especially when exploring the quirky elements of words. One delightful aspect of language is homophones—words that sound the same but have different meanings. If you're a parent seeking to boost your child's language skills, my in-person lessons create a fun environment to discover homophones while building confidence in English. What Are Homophones? Homophones are words that are pronounced the same way but have different

By Simone Dahkoul | Simone’s Tutoring Watching a child learn to read is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do—but I also know it can feel overwhelming for many young learners. That’s why I use a method called synthetic phonics , supported by colour-coded graphemes , to help children build reading skills faster and with more confidence. 🧠 What is Synthetic Phonics? Synthetic phonics is all about teaching children how to decode words by breaking them into sounds (phonem

Dubai has introduced a major shift in education: Artificial Intelligence (AI)  will now be taught as a formal subject in schools from Kindergarten through Grade 12  starting in the upcoming academic year. This exciting development reflects a growing global awareness that digital skills—and particularly AI literacy—are essential for preparing students to succeed in the future. The introduction of AI into the curriculum is designed to give young learners the tools to understand

Every child learns differently, and as a parent, it’s important to discover methods that spark their curiosity and enthusiasm for knowledge. Have you tried using mnemonics, phonemes, graphemes, syllables, and morphemes as fun tools for your child’s education? In this blog post, we will explore how these concepts can enhance your child’s learning experience and how our lessons can bring them to life. What Are Mnemonics? Mnemonics are simple memory aids that help your child ret

Are you a parent eager to ignite your child's love for learning? Do you want to see them excel academically and gain confidence? Consider enrolling them in a Spelling Bee competition! These competitions are not just about spelling; they enhance vocabulary, improve memory, and boost self-esteem. This blog post will explore the benefits of Spelling Bee lessons and why signing your child up is a fantastic idea. The Joy of Learning Through Competition Spelling Bees create a stimu