We
often talk about the importance of signs and symbols in developing language
skills in young children. One such excellent communication system that is
gaining immense popularity is Makaton, which was developed in the UK and is now
being used in more than 40 countries worldwide including the UAE.
è What are the essential
features of Makaton?
è How do you begin to use
Makaton signs and symbols?
è Will using Makaton
stop somebody from talking?
è
What
problems are helped by using Makaton Signs & Symbols?
è
What
have been the recent developments in the use of the Makaton Language Programme?
è
What
will the user learn and be able to do after completing the Beginners workshop?
è
What
Makaton Workshops are available in Dubai?
è
When
and where is the next Beginners Workshop?
Makaton
is a unique language programme offering a structured, multi-modal approach for
the teaching of communication, language and literacy skills for children and
adults who have a broad range of communication and learning difficulties. The
programme combines signs (hand gestures) and or symbols (visual pictures) always
with speech, using everyday functional vocabulary. It is primarily designed to
reinforce the spoken and written word; signs
support the speech and symbols support the written word.
Its
visual multi-modal approach allows an individual to use any combination of
signs and symbols which significantly increases the opportunities for
expressive communication and helps to develop an understanding of language. It
also helps individuals to develop their own communication skills thereby
enabling them to be understood better and to understand others better.
Makaton is also now increasingly
being used to spur the development of language in children who do not
necessarily have difficulties with communication or learning.
In
the UK, there is a programme on the BBC channel CBeebies dedicated to Makaton called ‘Something Special’ which televises 15 minute topic-based
programmes for children in the early stages of language development. This
interactive programme makes use of real life experiences to give context to a
child’s learning and their response is sought through a variety of fun
activities. The differentiated content gives access to the six areas of
learning of the British Foundation Stage of the National Curriculum. The
language used throughout each programme is supported by Makaton signs and
symbols.
British
Makaton is used extensively all over the UK in nurseries, schools, colleges,
centres, hospitals and clinics by parents, carers, teachers, and therapists. Makaton
is internationally recognised and when Makaton
is used abroad the signs are based on the natural sign language within that
country. The symbols are the same worldwide.
Currently in Dubai and the UAE the British version of Makaton is being used with those
individuals who are predominantly exposed to an English speaking environment.
It
consists of two vocabularies: a Core and
a Resource Vocabulary.
The Makaton Core Vocabulary: of basic concepts is the foundation of the language
programme and consists of 450 everyday functional concepts which are arranged
in Stages 1 to 8 and Additional. The concepts are organized in sequence of
communicative priorities - that is, those concepts which are most frequently
used in everyday life which meet an individual’s immediate needs come first,
such: as Mummy, Drink, Bed.
This
staged approach helps to establish communication and then the scope broadens to
help communicate the things an individual does, needs or likes encouraging the
facilitation of a 2-way communication process.
Resource Vocabulary : is an extension of the Makaton core vocabulary and it consists of over 7,000 additional
concepts arranged into topics which include the British National Curriculum,
Animals, Transport and Vehicles etc. You are able to select vocabulary from
this resource vocabulary if relevant to the individual.
At
the outset, Makaton helps individuals to develop their basic communication
skills. Those early skills which are necessary before spoken or signed
communication can progress such as attention, eye contact, turn-taking and with
younger children early gestures such as pointing.
To
begin with, only key functional words are signed such as bed, toilet, and food.
When signing, full grammatical sentences are spoken but only the key words are
signed simultaneously with speech. As the individual develops, more key words
are introduced and can extend to signing every word in a sentence - reflecting
the grammatical elements of spoken and written language, thereby developing
language and literacy skills in a structured and coherent manner. This process
for selecting and introducing signs can also be used for symbols. For some
individuals, combining symbols, signs and speech together is proving to be an
effective way of developing literacy skills.
No,
provided speech is always used when signing.
Gesture
precedes the spoken word. Research and
evidence shows that once gesture is developed then speech develops
automatically because the part of the brain that controls gesture has a link to
the part of the brain that controls speech.
The
use of speech when signing stimulates vocalization of sounds and early words.
This is because the slowing down of speech as we sign helps the user to
understand the spoken word. As the user makes a link between the word and the
sign - speech development is positively effected.
All
types of communication and learning difficulties may be helped by the Makaton
Language Programme, including:
·
Learning difficulties
·
Specific language disorders
·
Individuals on the autistic spectrum
·
Physical impairments
·
Sensory impairments
·
Dual disabilities i.e. learning
difficulty plus physical impairment
·
Acquired communication difficulties
brought on by for example dementia or a stroke
In
recent years, Makaton has increasingly been used to help those who don’t speak
English. It was reported recently that a
primary school in Brighton in the UK was using the Makaton Language Programme
to help foreign pupils to communicate with staff and each other. The 300+
children speak 26 languages between them and Makaton has helped to break down
language barriers, allowing the children to make themselves understood without
getting frustrated.
Also,
the intuitive nature of the Makaton symbols has spread its use in UK hospitals,
libraries, museums, historical buildings, and law courts to help individuals who
are unable to read English to find their way to the correct department.
·
The user will learn what Makaton is
and how it fits in with signing systems such as British Sign Language and
Signed English.
·
The user will be able to begin to use
the signs and symbols from Stages 1 and 4 and most of the Additional Stage.
·
With the support of various video
examples, the user will learn effective signing techniques and how to begin to
use signs in everyday functional activities.
·
The user will be able to demonstrate
to others the Key Signs they are using with a particular learner and explain
why these signs have been selected.
·
The user will learn the design themes
behind Makaton symbols, how to draw them and gain some practical experience in
using them.
·
The user will get the opportunity to
practice and further develop their fluency and confidence in signing.
·
The user will get the opportunity to
consider how they will begin to use Makaton in their own setting and share
their own experiences with others.
Comprehensive participant manuals are
given during the workshop and a certificate of attendance is issued on
successful completion of the course.
The next level is the Follow-up workshop which covers the remaining Stages 5 to
8 and completes the Makaton Core Vocabulary.
·
Beginners Workshop
·
Beginners Practice Workshop
·
Follow-Up Workshop
·
Follow-Up Practice Workshop
·
New ‘Makaton Signing for Babies’ 9 week workshop to
commence on Sunday 18th April at Favourite Things, Dubai Marina Mall
The
next scheduled certified British Makaton Beginners Workshop will commence on Saturday 24th April for four
consecutive Saturdays ending on 15th May from 9am to 12:45pm at KidsFIRST
Medical Center. The cost of the
entire course is Dhs 795 and places are limited to 8
candidates.
To
make a booking please contact:
Mila at KidsFIRST Medical Center on
04-348-5437
and
for further information contact
Prit Chouhan, Makaton Regional Tutor on
050-774-0734
To
know more about Makaton, please visit
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/somethingspecial/.
Read what participants from Beginners Workshop are
saying about Makaton:
For
Parent Testimonials (click
here)
For
Speech & Language Therapist Testimonials (click
here)