About Makaton.
Makaton is a unique language development programme, that uses speech, sign and symbols to enable people to communicate. It supports the growth of essential communication skills such as language development and comprehension, attention and listening skills.
Makaton is the UK's leading language development programme used by adults and children with learning or communication difficulties and by everyone who shares their lives, whether parent, teacher or support worker.
What is Makaton?
Being able to communicate is one of the most important skills we need in life. Almost everything we do involves communication; everyday tasks such as learning at school, asking for food and drink, sorting out problems, making friends and having fun. These all rely on our ability to communicate with each other.
Nationally over 100,000 people are now using Makaton and more young people are using Makaton to communicate even before they have learnt to speak. Research shows that young children want to communicate before they are able to talk, so Makaton allows young toddlers to say what they want through signs and/or symbols before they've learnt how to speak the words for what they want. It helps them to develop their communication skills by encouraging them to put words together.
Makaton is useful for all sorts of people including those who struggle with understanding concepts, those who have poor literacy skills, including grammatical knowledge, and those with English as an Additional Language. When we use Makaton, we allow children and adults to take a more active part in life, because communication and language are part of everything we do and learn.
Makaton uses speech with signs and symbols to help people communicate. We also use facial expression, eye contact and body language to give as much information as possible. Makaton uses normal word order when speaking and key word signing (information carrying words only).
Why signs?
With Makaton, signs are used with speech in spoken word order. Using signs can help people who have no speech or whose speech is unclear. Research has shown that signs and gestures are easier to learn than spoken words. This makes sense. Babies use gestures before they can speak, to tell us what they want. For example, they might point at the biscuit tin or hold out their arms to be lifted up. Makaton enables children and adults to let others know what they want, make choices, share information and understand more. This helps build and develop important communication and language skills.
Why symbols?
Symbols can be used to support communication in separate ways. Using symbols can help people who have limited speech and those who do not wish to speak or sign or prefer not to sign. Those with difficulty signing may prefer to point to a symbol. It is an additional aid in communication and can act as an aide memoire for the sign. We know that children have different modes of learning and by using this multi-modal approach we are accessing visual, auditory and kinaesthetic senses.
Where is Makaton used?
Makaton in Education and Health Care settings
Whether you work in a school or a nursery, a healthcare or a social care setting Makaton, whether your user has sensory, physical or learning disabilities, the Makaton language development program can break down communication barriers through signs, symbols and speech and enable your user to communicate.
Makaton and parents
Are you hoping to support your baby or toddler with language acquisition? Makaton is frequently used in many early years settings and primary schools. Many children's understanding develops ahead of their spoken language. Signing can help young children express themselves whilst their physical skills are developing and through the use of symbols always used with speech, enhance their understanding.
Makaton users with disabilities
Are you a parent or a family member of someone who uses Makaton? Makaton can support individuals with no speech, unclear speech or those find communicating difficult. Makaton can reduce frustration, create choice and facilitate communication for users with disabilities and family members have described the ability to communicate with them as 'life changing'!
Makaton in business
Wanting to support your employees with communication skills? Meeting the needs of clients and employees with cognitive and communication difficulties is essential in order to be a truly inclusive business. Learning Makaton communication skills will widen your customer base. Through the use of the Makaton friendly scheme, you Will allow Makaton users to feel welcome when visiting your business. Whether your user's needs are cognitive or where English is not the first language, the Makaton Language Development program can help. Staff feel empowered - by encouraging your staff to acquire another skillset, you are enabling them to grow and enhance their communication skills.
Makaton and English as a second language
With signs remaining the same regardless of language spoken, Makaton is useful where English is not the first language. Through the use of signs and symbols which are universal. whilst at the same time modelling the English language, you will increase language learning potential.