Become Makaton Friendly
Early Years settings (nursery, preschool, reception)
Why Makaton?
In Early Years settings, creating a nurturing and inclusive environment lays the foundation for every child’s development. Meet Amy, a curious and active child with a developmental delay who thrives when supported by Makaton. While Amy loves to observe and is eager to join in with her peers, she can sometimes feel frustrated when others don’t understand her or when Makaton isn’t used.
By becoming Makaton Friendly, your setting, with the support of a Makaton Tutor, can help Amy feel included, empowered, and confident to participate in daily activities.
Become Makaton Friendly today!
Imagine Amy’s day at a Makaton Friendly setting
Here’s how Makaton can make a difference in Amy’s day, with the support of your Makaton Tutor:
- Arriving in the morning:
Amy is greeted by staff using Makaton signs, setting a welcoming tone for her day.
- Exploring the room:
Makaton symbols label key areas in your setting helping Amy navigate and make choices independently.
- During activities:
Staff incorporate Makaton into games, songs, and stories, enabling Amy and her peers to communicate, play, and learn together.
- Snack time:
Amy uses Makaton signs to choose her snack and interact with her friends, fostering independence and inclusion.
- Storytime:
Makaton is incorporated into storytime, so Amy can follow along and feel part of the group.
This inclusive approach helps Amy build communication skills, confidence, and friendships — all while having fun, with your Makaton Tutor ensuring a smooth and sustainable implementation.
How your setting can become Makaton Friendly
With the right guidance and tools, it’s easy to create a Makaton Friendly environment. Your Makaton Tutor will support you every step of the way. Here’s how you can get started:
1. Create an inclusive space
- Work with your Makaton Tutor to label key areas like toilets, snack areas, and activity stations with Makaton symbols, helping everyone navigate the setting with ease.
2. Train your team
- Your Makaton Tutor will help you provide the agreed Makaton training for your staff, equipping them with the appropriate skills to communicate effectively.
3. Use Makaton in daily activities
- Your Makaton Tutor will guide you in incorporating Makaton into songs, stories, and games to keep all children engaged.
- TThey’ll help you use your Premium Group Membership to make activities accessible and fun for every child, ensuring inclusion in play and learning.
4. Plan for individual needs
- Your Makaton Tutor will support you to use Makaton to support children’s individual needs, ensuring every child has the tools to participate fully.
5. Prepare for transitions
- Work with your Makaton Tutor to develop strategies to support your students as they progress to different educational settings for maximum impact!
Why it matters
Becoming Makaton Friendly benefits every child, family, and staff member in your setting:
- For children: Create a warm, inclusive environment where every child feels valued and can participate and thrive.
- For staff: Equip your staff with the skills to support all children effectively, helping them feel confident and empowered.
- For families: Foster meaningful relationships between your setting and your parents and carers, building trust and confidence.
Start your journey today
Join the growing number of early years settings making a difference. With the guidance of a Makaton Tutor, you can create an environment where every child is included and supported.
Get in touch with a Makaton Tutor to develop a tailored plan for your setting. From training to resources, your Makaton Tutor will support you every step of the way to ensure your space is truly inclusive and welcoming for all.
If you are unable to find a Makaton Friendly Tutor in your area, please get in touch with the Makaton Places team on [email protected]
Ready to apply?
Together, let’s create an environment where every child can communicate, play, and grow with confidence — guided by your Makaton Tutor every step of the way!