Information for parents and carers of children

We all hope that our children will be able to talk to us, but for some children this can be a problem. We know that Makaton can help. Some children will use Makaton for a short time, others longer.

Makaton was developed in the 1970s to help people with learning disability to communicate. It is now widely used with a variety of children with communication difficulties.

Things you should know about Makaton

Talking does not just involve speaking. Watch someone talking, they will not just be saying words but they will also be using hand movements or gestures, facial expression, eye contact and body language (posture and movement). All this is communication.

Makaton uses speech and gesture, facial expression, eye contact and body language. It is a language programme which is based on a selected list of everyday words, such as Daddy , Door , Fall and In .

Makaton uses speech together with a sign (gesture) and/ or a symbol (picture), for example:


sleep	sleep	where?	where?

Frequently asked questions

Why use Makaton?

Signs and symbols give extra information which can be seen. Research has shown that signs/ 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 pointing at the biscuit tin/ cookie jar or holding out arms to be lifted up. Makaton can help if a child has difficulties with understanding and speaking. Through Makaton, the child is able to develop important communication skills.

If a child has to rely on speech development alone, these vital skills may not develop properly: eye contact, turn taking, making choices, understanding, and sharing information.

Children who have difficulty understanding and speaking often become frustrated or withdrawn. They may communicate this through behaviours such as screaming and kicking which are unpleasant for the child and for us. By using Makaton, we are helping the child to communicate in a more acceptable way.

Will Makaton stop my child from speaking?

Experience and research indicate that using gestures/ signs promotes and stimulates speech development. It is very important that you use speech together with signs and symbols.

What is a symbol?

A symbol is a picture used to represent a word. The picture representation is simple and easy to remember, for example:


	bus

When do you use symbols?

Symbols are used when a child has difficulty with hand movements making signing inaccurate or impossible. Symbols are used to develop reading and language skills.

Who needs to use Makaton?

Children learn to speak by listening to other people speaking. If your child is going to use signs/ symbols to help them communicate, your child will need to see you and other people using them as well. Everyone needs to be involved and will usually be happy to help.

What will other people think?

You may feel strange using Makaton at first and you may think that people are looking at you, but with practice it soon becomes more natural and you know it is helping your child.

How many signs/symbols do you start with?

It is important that only a few signs/ symbols are used at the beginning. These will be the most important ones for the child. They will be chosen by the people who know the child best. As the child learns, more words will need to be introduced.

Important things to remember when using Makaton

Using Makaton is fun.
Makaton should be used in every aspect of the child's day.
Always remember to speak as you sign or use symbols and encourage any attempt at speech.
At first it may be necessary to help move your child's arms and hands to make the signs or point to the symbols.
Don't give up! It may take a while for you and your child to learn to use signs and symbols.