26th August, 2025
Makaton is a unique communication tool that combines signs, symbols, and spoken language to support people, especially children and young people, who have difficulty with speech. Unlike traditional sign language, Makaton is designed to be used alongside speech and is often tailored to support learning and communication development. It incorporates gestures, facial expressions, and body language to enhance understanding, making it a powerful way to build connection and communication.
Children in care may experience communication delays, trauma, or developmental difficulties that affect their ability to express themselves at all ages. For foster carers, Makaton can be a life-changing tool, opening up communication, building trust, and creating a more inclusive and supportive environment.
Improves Communication
-Helps children with delayed speech, limited vocabulary, or those learning English as an additional language express their needs clearly.
-Reduces frustration and behavioural challenges by offering a reliable way to communicate.
Supports Emotional Expression
-Provides children with signs to describe their feelings, which is vital for those with trauma backgrounds.
-Helps carers recognise and respond to emotional cues more effectively in children and young people.
Enhances Attachment and Trust
-Consistent use of Makaton builds routine and predictability, key to helping children and young people feel safe.
-Being understood fosters emotional bonds and secure attachments, especially critical for children and young people who’ve experienced disrupted relationships.
Encourages Inclusion
-Enables participation in group activities, classroom learning, and social interactions, even when speech is limited.
-Promotes positive peer relationships and a sense of belonging.
Supports Language Development
-Reinforces verbal speech by pairing it with signs and symbols, helping children learn and retain new words.
-Ideal for non-verbal children or those with speech or developmental delays.
-Promotes Consistency Across Settings
-Makaton can be used by carers, teachers, therapists, and social workers, ensuring children and young people have a consistent way to communicate, no matter the setting.
If you're a foster carer looking to begin or deepen your Makaton knowledge, here are some useful resources:
The Makaton Charity - The official home of Makaton. Offers training courses, free resources, and a library of signs and symbols.
Makaton YouTube Channel - A great place for video demonstrations of common signs and songs using Makaton.
Makaton Signing for Babies & Families - Tailored training designed to help families, including foster carers, start using Makaton at home.
Makaton is more than just a communication tool, it's a bridge to connection, understanding, and emotional healing. For foster carers, adopting Makaton can make a profound difference in a child or young person’s sense of safety, confidence, and belonging. Whether they are non-verbal, English is not their first language, or they simply need a little extra support, Makaton gives them a voice, and a way to be heard.
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