"Top Tips For Learning Makaton!"

• Familiarise yourself with core vocabulary. Familiarising yourself with the core vocabulary will help you progress further with learning and also help you feel more confident to use it. The core vocabulary is based on high frequency words we use within the English Language.

  
  

• Match words to symbols and signs, you could even practise drawing the symbols, they are designed to be easy to draw!

  
  

• Don’t learn too much at once. Signs such as 'Hello' 'Food' 'Drink' 'Toilet' are helpful to begin with, immediate need vocabulary.

• If you are learning because you are supporting someone who uses Makaton, make sure you learn the signs and symbols that motivate them, if someone is particularly interested in vehicles for example, it would be great to learn and use signs and symbols with them such as 'train' 'car' 'bus' 'boat' and so on.

  
  

• Continue to practise the signs and symbols you have learnt as often as you can, it's definitely a 'use it or lose it skill!'

  
  

• Use your dominant hand as your main signing hand

• Always speak as you sign or use symbols.

• Hold eye contact, and use facial expressions while signing.

• Try to use short, clear sentences when you are signing.

• Singing Hands on youtube.com have some wonderful videos, eveything from topics such as 'colours' and 'the weather' to signed pop songs and nursery rhymes! SingingHandsUK - YouTube

• Subscribe to The Makaton Charity's 'Sign of the week' on youtube, they share a sign and matching symbol each week, a great resource for extending your knowledge. Makaton - YouTube

• Sign up for a Taster workshop, you can find taster workshops on offer which cover various themes! Browse my range of tasters here, if you don't see one that's suitable, get in touch!

• If you prefer to learn at your own pace, you could also become a member of The Makaton Charity. This gives you access to online resources and tutorials. 

• Video content of people signing is helpful however it's not a replacement for official training. The best way to start learning Makaton is with Level 1 training. You'll learn with other people, receive feedback on your signing and symbol work , share your experiences and practise with others. Find level 1 training here

  https://buytickets.at/alimakatontutor

• Most of all, have fun with it! Learning should be fun and creative!

References

• The Makaton Charity. (2024). Core Vocabulary and Learning Pathways.  https://makaton.org.

• Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. (2024). Supporting People with Communication Needs. Retrieved from https://www.rcslt.org

• NHS England. (2023). Accessible Information Standard https://www.england.nhs.uk/ais/

• Singing Hands UK. (2024) https://www.youtube.com/@SingingHandsUK

Staff members at a Care Home having fun playing with Makaton Symbols and practising Signs

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