What is Makaton

What is Makaton?

Makaton is a sign language which uses signs and symbols to help people communicate. It is based on the gestures used in BSL (British Sign Language). Makaton signs are used with speech and the signs are often dropped as speech develops.

There are many similarities between Makaton and BSL - but also many differences. This can be confusing especially when you're a beginner. I don't know why mouse, for example, is a different sign in these languages.

I'm not going to lie, it's hard learning sign language. Honestly I had hoped Harry would start talking so I didn't have to learn...but he didn't, so I'm learning. Now I have learnt some signs, I wish I had started learning earlier as it's taken me a long time to learn. I really wish that everyone knew some sign language - we should all learn at school so we can communicate more easily. There are over 100,000 children and adults using Makaton either to support speech or as their main method of communication. I hadn't even heard of Makaton until I had my first SALT appointment (Speech and Language Therapy).

The idea behind Makaton is that you speak at the same time so that you are enforcing the sign and the word. This makes sense. I am a visual person and I learn by seeing and doing...repeatedly, so going to a Makaton class is pretty pointless for me because I think I've learnt some signs but 2 days later, I haven't got a clue. I have learnt Makaton through signing songs over and over and watching other people sign...over and over. The repetition used in Something Special with Mr Tumble has helped both me and Harry learn, as has playing Singing Hands dvds over and over.

I did take Harry to a baby signing class ( this was BSL - which is odd as you would think it would be Makaton as you are trying to encourage the children to talk). It was lots of singing and lots of fun and Harry loved the class and the interaction with the other children. We were learning new things every week but for me there wasn't enough repetition over the weeks. I did repeat the course and this helped, as did the input from other resources. Things finally started to come together. I now feel that I'm getting somewhere and both of us are picking up lots of signs. You do have to make it part of your life though. Signing is hard but signing to songs definitely helps you pick up all kinds of helpful signs.

These are our favourite resources:

  • Mr Tumble - Tv programme 'Something Special"

  • Singing Hands  (DVD no 2 is our favourite)

  • Rob Delaney reading 10 in a bed for Cbeebies bedtime stories

  • Sing and Sign classes - these are BSL but the repetitiveness, songs and music made it a winner for both me and Harry. We have done the second stage toddler class several times.

Something Special

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Something Special is an awesome TV program for both little ones, and us big ones, to learn some key Makaton sign language, and have a laugh with Justin, Mr Tumble and the Tumble family. Something Special is a BAFTA award winning BBC CBeebies show, devised by BBC producer Allan Johnston, a former teacher at a special […]

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Singing Hands

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Singing Hands are female duo and mums, Suzanne and Tracy. They know from first-hand experience how Makaton signing helped their children communicate.  Their unique and enthusiastic approach is designed to help develop someone’s communication potential through music, songs, games & activities. They focus on learning language in a way that it is motivating, engaging and […]

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