Makaton for parents and carers
Course Tutor: Hilary Freeborough
Recommended for parents, family members, carers and workers who need to use Makaton at home and in their work.
Course summary
Makaton is a language programme that gives everyone a helping hand to talk. It uses signs, symbols and speech to help people communicate. 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. Makaton is extremely flexible as it can be personalised to an individual's needs and used at a level suitable for them.
What you will learn
The Beginners' Workshop provides a practical introduction to the Makaton Language Programme. Sessions include discussing commonly asked questions, hints and tips for effective signing and symbol use and how to start using Makaton in everyday situations at home or work. You will also learn the signs and symbols for Stages 1-4 and additional Core Vocabulary. The Beginners' Workshop is made up of 4 modules. You will receive two workshop manuals, which include the signs and symbols that you have learned. You will also be given a certificate of attendance.
The Follow-Up Workshop helps you to improve and develop your signing and symbol skills and how to use them effectively every day. You will revise the signs and symbols you learned during the Beginners’ Workshop and learn the signs and symbols for Stages 5-8 of the Core Vocabulary. The Follow-Up Workshop is made up of 4 modules. Participants must have completed the Beginners’ Workshop. You will receive 2 workshop manuals which include the signs and symbols that you have learned. You will also be given a certificate of attendance.
Practicalities
The best way to learn Makaton is to attend a workshop. It means that you learn with other people, share your experiences, receive feedback on your signing and symbol work and enables you to practice with others.
“This Makaton course is probably the most helpful course I have taken."
Family Learning Course,
Fordwater School
“Fantastic course and taught brilliantly. Manuals are really good and to keep them is great to refresh."
Family Learning Course, Fordwater School
"It was a brilliant course, well explained, at a level which was right for me. I feel that I have learnt a great deal which will really benefit myself and my daughter.”
Family Learning Course, Fordwater School