Makaton
Learning Makaton at St Bartholomew's!
Learning Makaton at St Bartholomew's!
What is Makaton?
"Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. It supports the development of essential communication skills such as attention and listening, comprehension, memory, recall and organisation of language and expression.
Being able to communicate is one of the most important skills we need in life. Almost everything we do involves communication; everyday tasks such as learning at school, asking for food and drink, sorting out problems, making friends and having fun. These all rely on our ability to communicate with each other.
With Makaton, signs are used, with speech, in spoken word order. This helps provide extra clues about what someone is saying. Using signs can help people who have no speech or whose speech is unclear. Using symbols can help people who have limited speech and those who cannot, or prefer not to sign."
To find out more, please click the link below.
What are we doing?
We are very excited to announce that in September 2023, we introduced Makaton signing in the Early Years! Miss Synnuck and Mrs Hopkins have taught the Reception children some helpful Makaton signs that they might need around the classroom.
Every year, the new intake of children will begin their learning of Makaton signing communication, and will be given the opportunity to use these signs as they make their way through the school, all the way to Year 6.
Miss Day is trained in Level 1 and Level 2 Makaton, and is hoping to learn Level 3 and 4 very soon. From September 2024, she is offering a Level 1 club for children who would like to find out more and learn some new signs!
Every week in our Celebration Liturgy, Miss Day shares a new sign of the week. This is then added to the newsletter to be shared with parents and carers.
08.03.2024 - St Patrick's Class had their first Makaton lesson!
