Exciting News! Emma Hartnell-Baker Wins National Award for Innovation: Thought-Driven Communication App for Non-Speaking Children Who Cannot Yet Read and Spell
OrthoGraphix®: Speech Sound Mapping
Unlocking Language & Literacy Potential with Phonemies! Phonetic Symbols for Children
Emma Hartnell-Baker: Connecting Spoken and Written English as if Toddlers Have Dyslexia, Autism, ADHD, Speech Delay, or Verbal Dyspraxia. Monthly Workshops for Parents: Face-to-Face in Dorset or via Zoom! 1st, 2nd and 3rd of the Month.
Growing Word Wings: Ortho-Graphix® makes Sound Pics® and Speech Sounds VISIBLE!
Fun Phonemic Awareness, Articulation Therapy & Phonics with Speech Sound Monsters (Phonemies)
Speech Sound Mapping offers ALL learners - including children with speech delay - a more intuitive and natural way to learn to read and spell using words that matter to them, and to communicate with 'pictures' of speech sounds.
Our unique Word Mapping Tool and Next Gen AAC tech facilitate self-teaching in innovative and unique ways
Ortho-Graphix technology is meticulously crafted to simplify the correspondence between spoken and written English, particularly for neurodiverse learners. The opaque nature of English orthography, wherein speech sounds may be represented by various graphemes—such as the /s/ sound depicted through more than ten different graphemes (e.g., "sip," "cent," "grass," "scent," "pence," "psychology") and graphemes representing multiple sounds (e.g., "sip" vs. "was" vs. "sugar" vs. "leisure")—presents significant challenges in learning to read and spell.
The prefix "Ortho-" from Greek, meaning "straight," "upright," "right," or "correct," signifies our commitment to presenting information directly and accurately in the context of Ortho-Graphix. Meanwhile, "Graphix" refers to graphics or visual designs, encompassing various artistic elements aimed at effectively communicating and conveying messages in a visually engaging manner.
Our approach involves designing tools that facilitate the transition from speech to print (phonemes to graphemes) and vice versa (graphemes to phonemes), thereby enhancing phonemic awareness and enhancing orthographic knowledge. through Speech Sound Therapy. For universal consistency, Ortho-Graphix aligns with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), offering a Universal Spelling Code. This alignment is underscored by Stanislas Dehaene in his seminal work, "Reading in the Brain," advocating for a systematic and accessible approach to literacy learning for individuals across the spectrum of neurodiversity.
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Unlike traditional teaching methods that often expect all children to learn to speak, read, and spell in the same way, and only offer differentiation and extra help when they start to struggle, Emma Hartnell-Baker, the creator of Ortho-Graphix and someone who is neurodivergent herself, takes a different approach. She believes in starting with what each child specifically needs and what will capture their interest. This personalised approach means that instead of waiting for children to fall behind, we're looking at what makes each child unique from the beginning. 'Miss Emma's method is all about understanding and celebrating the differences in how children learn, making sure that the way we teach is as unique as they are. This way, learning becomes more fun and effective for everyone.
Each Speech Sound Monster corresponds to one of the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) phonetic symbols, serving as a visual mnemonic to aid children in the recognition and articulation of sounds. This approach offers an innovative pathway to a deeper understanding of English orthography and facilitates the easier development of orthographic knowledge.
The IPA for Phonics provides children with an instant visible code for reading: Phonemies!
The 'Speech Sound Monster' characters' are engaging phonetic symbols with personality: An IPA for children Learning phonics!
A Focus on Phonemic Awareness, Speech Sound Articulation Therapy and Phonics with the Phonemies!
New! Parent Workshops on the
1st, 2nd and 3rd Sunday of the month!
An Experiential and Natural Way to Learn to Read and Spell:
The Speech Sound Mapping Learning Journey Handbook for Parents and Reception Classroom Teachers, Featuring Visible Spelling to Make the Written Code More Accessible and Easier to Navigate, Launches in May!
Ortho-Graphix: Building Bigger Brain Word Banks! Visible Graphemes & Phonemes in Speech Therapy, Boosting Reading and Spelling Skills
“Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind.”
– James Russell Lowell
Monster Mappers around the world
Ortho-Graphix® Word Mapping significantly enhances the speed of learning in reading and spelling for all learners while also boosting their self-confidence and independence. Emma Hartnell-Baker is a world-renowned expert in creating experiences that unlock potential, enabling children to become avid readers before they start school, fostering a sense of achievement and autonomy from an early age.
Emma Hartnell-Baker Scoops National Award for Innovation
News! Exciting Communication App Designed by Expert Emma Hartnell-Baker, as an Innovate UK Award Winner: Word Wings: I Can Speak Without You!
Exciting Announcement! 📢
I have received a National Award for Innovation from Innovate UK, which contributes to a £6.2 million boost for the UK’s future innovation leaders. My project is among those selected for funding from 233 high-potential entrepreneurs across every nation and region of the UK. It is aimed at revolutionising the way non-speaking children communicate, utilising pioneering thought-driven technology!
*I Can Speak Without You: Communicating My Way*
This Innovate UK funding will support my business idea, 'Growing Word Wings', which aims to empower non-speaking children by providing them with a voice, bypassing the conventional need for spoken words and addressing the critical literacy challenges faced by children with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN).
As one of the 233 innovators awarded funding by Innovate UK, I am especially excited to receive 12 months of tailored business support to help Ortho-Graphix grow, stimulating the UK’s economy.
The 'Growing Word Wings' project, soon available at WordWings.co.uk, aims to create an accessible, engaging, and effective platform for early speech and language development. It leverages innovative technology to address and support phonemic awareness and language skills in young children, particularly those at risk of or experiencing SLCN and Dyslexia.
As I told a journalist recently, 'I’m delighted to have the support of Innovate UK, which will significantly enhance our ability to broaden the impact of Word Wings: Speech Sound Mapping. This initiative is at the heart of our mission, leveraging technology to embrace and amplify the unique abilities of neurodivergent individuals. Our approach is designed not just to accommodate, but to celebrate the diversity of learning and communication styles, providing a platform that enables every child to unlock their full potential through effective communication. This support is a crucial step towards realising a world where the neurodiverse strengths of each child are the foundation of their learning and communication journey.'
This new award programme was apparently amongst the most highly engaged Innovate UK funding competitions with over 2,100 entrepreneurs applying for funding and business mentorship. I'm thrilled to have been selected, and that Innovate recognised the importance of our work for children.
Innovate UK has launched its free and accessible No Limits digital platform, which makes it easy for aspiring innovators to discover new career paths, sharpen their skills, and access opportunities to develop life-changing innovations and future-proof the UK economy. Visit the site here: ideas are amazing!
https://lnkd.in/esqGV5rF
More details to follow as the tech is developed.
GrowingWordWings.co.uk
The Toddler Project: We Don’t Wait.
Emma Hartnell-Baker
#InnovateUK #InnovateUKFunded #orthographix #WordWings #icanspeakwithoutyou #duckhands #thetoddlerproject
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Empowering ALL Learners:
Unlocking Orthographic Knowledge
"I Can Speak, Read & Spell Without You!"
Teaching Toddlers to Speak and Read in English
Wings Word Play Centre
What is OrthoGraphix®?
How can Ortho-Graphix training and technology make it easier for you, your child, or your students to learn to speak, read, and spell in English, enhancing confidence and independence?
** Children Learning to Speak, Read and Spell in English **
The ability to map speech sounds to the 'pictures' of those sounds (graphemes) is at the heart of phonics. Miss Emma, a world leader in teaching neurodivergent learners to read and spell, wanted her dyslexic students in particular to be SHOWN the 'parts' of the word and to HEAR those speech sounds, making it easier to link the two. She also aimed for them to achieve this without needing to stop (thus avoiding disrupting the flow of reading and understanding) or to ask for help.
Ortho-Graphix makes the Speech Sound Connections 'visible' and provides children with their own personal Speech Sound Mapping Coach on any device. Miss Emma uses IPA-aligned speech sounds (Received Pronunciation) to ensure that anyone learning to speak or read English, or learning to map phonemes and graphemes with phonics instruction, has access to the consistent 'Universal Spelling Code' they expect. Word Play is so much FUN, and learners can choose the words that interest them! By connecting spoken and written words, and by making them VISIBLE, their interests are integrated.
** Adults Guiding Learners to Speak, Read and Spell in English **
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These ground-breaking EdTech tools also aid those tasked with teaching phonics in recognising a phenomenon Emma Hartnell-Baker discovered after teaching tens of thousands of teachers in Australia: being 'blinded by the letters'. This is termed 'Orthographic Interference' in research and occurs when people become skilled readers with a robust 'Brain Word Bank' (orthographic lexicon). Their perceptions of what they see and hear become confused by their 'skilled reader brain'. When guiding learners to map phonemes to graphemes, it's crucial to 'unblock' this interference! Ready-mapped words, along with the other Ortho-Graphix tools, enable teachers to develop the exceptional word mapping skills needed to fully support ALL learners in their neurodiverse classrooms. Furthermore, children love learning WITH adults, exploring the words that are of interest to them. The mapping often surprises us - as skilled readers - moreso than the children!
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Three things are needed for learners to 'store' words in their Brain Word Banks: the speech sounds, spelling, and meaning; and the more words are explored, the bigger the orthographic lexicon becomes! Very quickly, experts in Speech Sound Mapping have empowered their students, through their own new awareness of those speech sound connections.
The Visible Linguistic Ortho-Code for Reading and Spelling! Become Ortho-Explorers with '1,2,3 and Away!'
Monster Mappers: Children as Young as 18 Months Discover Speech Sound Pics with the IPA Aligned Phoneme Characters (Speech Sound Monsters)
Are you a Key Stage 1 teacher, an SpLD specialist, or a Speech Therapist seeking to elevate your professional practice? Learn unique strategies to set you apart as an expert in teaching children to read and spell, with a special emphasis on supporting speech and language development. By adding our specialised techniques and tools to your repertoire, including the ​Rewiring Dyslexia Technique RDT you'll provide enhanced literacy support, making a significant difference in both the reading skills and speech capabilities of the children you serve.
Emma Hartnell-Baker has extensive experience not only in managing 'Outstanding' rated nurseries and subsequently being appointed by OFSTED as an Early Years Regulatory Inspector, but also in leading whole school improvement in Australia. She has brought about substantial changes in attitudes towards the teaching of reading and spelling within neurodiverse classroom settings. Known by the children as 'Miss Emma', she advocates for playful, self-directed learning and opportunities for children to learn in ways and at paces that meet their unique needs.
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After spending over two decades supporting learners in a wide range of settings, including teenagers permanently excluded from school for behaviour she asserts was the direct result of being failed by the education system and unable to read or spell, she undertook postgraduate studies. She was awarded a Master's Degree in SpLD with a specialism in Dyslexia and is currently undertaking doctoral studies at the University of Reading, in the UK. She returned to the UK specifically to ascertain whether the training and support offered to teachers, who are mandated to teach phonics 'first and fast', have the necessary skills and resources to meet all learner needs. However, she is determined to prevent learning difficulties in children, as developmental speech and language needs are on the increase, with funding and therapy services difficult to secure. There is also a SEND crisis in the UK, with 1 in 4 children unable to read by the time they leave primary school. Therefore, Miss Emma is looking for parents of very young children to play with new and exciting tools to teach toddlers to speak and read in English, using her established and highly successful approach.
Overcoming Orthographic Interference for Teachers of Phonics
The Ortho-Graphix Level 1 Award is designed to help you 'unblock' your orthographic interference, if necessary, enabling you to more effectively map words, and to assist a broader audience in learning to speak, read, and spell in English. Most skilled readers experience orthographic interference to varying degrees, which only becomes significant when teaching phonics. This issue has been uniquely identified by Miss Emma, possibly because most program developers do not deliver training directly nor interact with those teaching phonics; thus, they fail to recognise this obstacle. The block can significantly hinder progress, and overcoming it through this training may be more challenging for some than for others, depending on the strength of the block. Ortho-Graphix Word Play is specifically designed to address this issue and to better support students as they expand their 'brain word banks' (orthographic lexicon).
Enjoy the training! Feel free to ask any questions, and remember to join the new support group.
NB To be awarded the certificate you do need to submit and 'pass' the activities, but participation awards are also offered at the end of the 3 month access period.
Emma Hartnell-Baker, known as 'Miss Emma', has identified a gap in existing literature and is ahead of current research by already offering 'Overcoming Orthographic Interference' training for parent and teachers tasked with teaching phonics.
Join the OrthoGraphix Group: a support network for individuals delving into phoneme-grapheme mapping and orthographic interference through Ortho-Graphix training. This group is designed to enhance orthographic awareness among adults, regardless of the phonics program being utilised. Our mission is to better support the phonics learning journey of children. It's important to note that this is not a forum for discussing phonics teaching methodologies per se; rather, it focuses on improving YOUR orthographic awareness! https://www.facebook.com/groups/orthographix
When children can use their 'Duck Hands®' to segment words into speech sounds, from left to right, and blend them, we are addressing one of the issues children struggle with: phonemic awareness. If they can't isolate, segment, and blend speech sounds, how can they map them with the 'pictures' of those speech sounds, i.e., graphemes? The importance of that mapping is why Miss Emma launched the Speech Sound Pics (SSP) Approach in Australia over a decade ago. Children and adults love Duck Hands! Miss Emma also has her own 'character' in Speech Sound Cloud Land - and is often seen drinking tea! Miss Emma speaks with sounds that are close to the 'Received Pronunciation' used within phonics instruction around the world, for consistency. Children may find it easier to understand the phoneme-grapheme mapping of words with her speech sounds. Through the screen eg with the ICRWY Lessons app, they listen to the words, see the segmented graphemes (Sound Pics), and hear the phonemes, which supports the development of orthographic mapping; a skill needed to become literate
Ortho-Graphix: Speech and Phonemic Awareness Therapy
Did you know that while toddlers are learning to speak we can shape speech sound brains?
The BBC reports a crisis in UK Speech Therapy Services, exacerbated by lockdowns and staff shortages. Over 75,000 children are on waiting lists, and 29% of therapist positions remain unfilled. This has led to a generation starting school with significant speech difficulties, impacting their confidence and learning.
At the same time, the UK also faces a 'SEND crisis. At least 1 in 4 children leave primary school unable to read and write.
Miss Emma, an ND teacher and SEND expert, is tackling many of these issues head-on by involving parents and offering training and support. Many of these issues can be addressed by teaching children AND ADULTS to map speech sounds (phonemes) with Sound Pics (graphemes and by shaping speech sound brains.
Transforming Language Learning: Ortho-Graphix's Innovative Approach to Phoneme-Grapheme Mapping and Speech Therapy for Children and Adults
Ortho-Graphix: Unlocking Orthographic Knowledge. Speech Sound Pics Approach - Speech Therapy PLUS Phonemic Awareness Training! Igniting a Passion for Spoken & Written English
Ortho-Graphix : Speech Sound Pics - Unlocking Orthography with the IPA for Children Learning Phonics. Neuro-Inclusive
Designed to bridge the gaps left by synthetic phonics, enabling every child to acquire reading and spelling skills: The Universal IPA aligned Spelling Code
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Ortho-Graphix from The Reading Hut
