Making Family Life More Inclusive with Simple Signs in Makaton

Communication is at the heart of family life. From sharing needs and emotions to taking part in everyday routines, being understood helps children feel safe, confident, and included. However, for many families — especially those with children who have speech, language, or communication needs — communication can be challenging.

Using simple signs such as Makaton at home is a practical and inclusive way to support communication and strengthen family connections.

What Is Makaton?

Makaton is a communication programme that uses signs, symbols, and speech together to support understanding and expression. It is widely used by families, schools, nurseries, and healthcare professionals across the UK.

Crucially, Makaton does not replace spoken language. Instead, it supports speech development by reinforcing meaning and reducing communication barriers.

Why Using Simple Signs in Makaton at Home Matters

The home environment plays a key role in communication development. When families use simple signs consistently, children are more likely to feel confident expressing themselves.

Benefits of using Makaton at home include:

• Improved understanding of spoken language

• Reduced frustration and challenging behaviour

• Increased independence and confidence

• Stronger emotional connections within the family

• A more inclusive environment for everyone

Inclusive communication helps all children — not just those with additional needs.

Everyday Family Moments Where Simple Signs Help

You don’t need to change your routine to use Makaton. Simple signs naturally fit into everyday family life.

Using Makaton at Mealtimes

Mealtimes are ideal for communication. Signs such as eat, drink, more, finished, and help allow children to clearly express their needs. This can make mealtimes calmer and more enjoyable for everyone.

Supporting Routines and Transitions

Daily routines can be difficult for some children. Using signs like bath, bed, toilet, go, stop, and wait helps children understand what is happening and what will happen next.

Clear communication around routines often reduces anxiety and supports smoother transitions.

Talking About Feelings with Signs

Many children struggle to express emotions verbally. Simple signs for happy, sad, angry, tired, and scared give children a way to communicate how they are feeling.

Being able to express emotions supports emotional regulation and wellbeing.

Play, Choice, and Interaction

Play is a powerful opportunity for learning and connection. Signs such as play, ball, book, again, and finished encourage turn-taking, choice-making, and shared attention.

Getting the Whole Family Involved

Makaton is most effective when everyone uses it.

• Parents and carers can model signs consistently

• Siblings often enjoy learning signs and naturally include them in play

• Extended family members can learn a small set of key signs

When everyone signs, children receive a clear message: their communication is valued.

Does Using Makaton Delay Speech?

This is a common concern for families, but research and experience show that using signs does not delay speech. In many cases, it actively supports spoken language by reducing pressure and increasing understanding.

Children often drop signs naturally as speech develops.

How to Start Using Simple Signs at Home

You don’t need to learn lots of signs at once. Start small by:

• Choosing a few high-frequency words

• Using signs alongside spoken words

• Being consistent in everyday situations

As confidence grows, you can gradually introduce more signs.

Final Thoughts for Creating a More Inclusive

Family Life

Using simple signs like Makaton is about more than communication — it’s about inclusion, respect, and connection. Small changes in how families communicate can have a big impact on confidence, behaviour, and emotional wellbeing.

By making communication accessible at home, you help create a family environment where everyone has a voice.

Ready to take a look at training options? Click HERE

**Disclaimer**

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and thoughts and information expressed in these blogs are from my own personal thoughts and real life experiences, they do not contain advisory content. While always striving to provide accurate and up-to-date content, there are no guarantees about the completeness or reliability of any information. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. 

All information on the site is provided in good faith, however, no representation or warranty is made of any kind, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the site.

These blogs are created from my own personal experience and are for general information purposes and are not, in any way, advisory. Where needed I have included research and reference links and further reading articles.

At times I have used AI generated content to reword my own thoughts and may include AI research of  information relevant to the blog and to create images relevant to my blogs, however whenever possible I have used my own images with permission from those featured in the images. My blogs are open to fair use.

Any questions or queries please do get in touch - alimakatontutor@gmail.com