Makaton
The Makaton charity describes Makaton as a ‘...language programme using signs and symbols to help people to communicate. It is designed to support spoken language and the signs and symbols are used with speech, in spoken word order’ (Makaton, n.d.). It is used in educational and health care settings to support understanding in those with and without physical or learning impairments.
To read more about Makaton:
Vocabulary: https://www.makaton.org/Assets/researchPapers/walker1987.pdf
For research into the benefits of Makaton try:
Using Makaton with babies: https://www.makaton.org/Assets/researchPapers/ford2006.pdf
Makaton and inclusion: https://www.makaton.org/Assets/researchPapers/sheehyDuffy2009.pdf
Makaton and EAL see:
Mistry, M. and Barnes, D. (2013) ‘The use of Makaton for supporting talk, through play, for pupils who have English as an Additional Language (EAL) in the Foundation Stage’, Education 3-13: International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education, 41:6, 603-616
The links below lead to some examples of Makaton in use:
http://teachfind.com/teachers-tv/primary-special-needs-singing-and signing?current_search=makaton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5cYfUiqpCg&feature=youtu.be
For some free resources try:
http://www.makaton.org/shop/shopping/browseStore/Free-resources
You may wish to direct parents with questions about Makaton to the BBC website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/makaton
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