Please or to access all these features

SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Makaton resources or books

18 replies

Hulababy · 26/03/2009 22:00

Hi

The infant school I work at uses quite a lot of Makaton signing with the children, such as in assemblies and at story time. Although I am slowly picking bits up I'd love to learn more.

Have looked on Amazon and Waterstones to no avail.

Can anyone suggest a Guide to/Teach Yourself type book for Makaton signs?

Thank you.

OP posts:
moondog · 26/03/2009 22:02

Makaton website

Sing & Sign website has some lovely dvds too

I'm a salt and realy promote signing.
Go for it!

Stretch · 26/03/2009 22:05

Moondog got there before me!

We did a makaton course last year and was fab. DD2 loves to do it. Although I did get a few comments from 'friends' about what was the point as she wasn't SN I was told it can benefit ALL children. Great fun too!

Hulababy · 26/03/2009 22:05

Thanks. So is there a specific book you could recommend?

Really interested. the children at school really enjoy it. The use it when greeting one another in assembly, when singing, etc.

The school does have 3 or 4 children with communication difficulties which started it off I believe. It is so lovely that the children are able to use these signs with these children.

OP posts:
moondog · 26/03/2009 22:11

Hula, it's easier to learn by watchnig and doing.Songs are a great way to get fluent.
I'd recommend getting S&S dvds and when you are fluent with them, I'd think about a course.
It's really hard to see a sign on a page and translate that into a physical action (I know, spending my life trying to motivate people to use signs. ).

Stretch · 26/03/2009 22:13

I have Makaton Signing for babies.
It's a pocket book and has all the basics, letters and family etc...Can't find a number for it though?

cat64 · 26/03/2009 22:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Hulababy · 26/03/2009 22:13

OK, will look at some DVDs.

Going to see school about them paying me to go on a course at some point.

TBH my own 6y DD will probably enjoy learning alongside me too.

OP posts:
moondog · 26/03/2009 22:16

Hula, we encourage people to bring along siblings.
Kids pick it up so fast and widespread use makes it cool.

Hulababy · 26/03/2009 22:17

Is that the courses linked to through the Makaton site?

OP posts:
Sidge · 26/03/2009 22:20

Check out Something Special DVDs as well - Mr Tumble uses Makaton and his signing is easy to follow and there's quite a lot of repetition.

It's far easier to watch someone signing than to try and decipher a picture!

moondog · 26/03/2009 22:24

Yes Hula, they control it all.
Agree with SS too.
Very good.
Quite a bit of that on CBeebies site too.

Hulababy · 26/03/2009 22:27

Yes, have seen Something Special. Watch it with our niece and friend's DS sometimes. DD and I know gow to sign the hello and goodbye song so far

Thanks - will have a look.

OP posts:
WedgiesMum · 27/03/2009 13:16

Hula! There are some sheets you can get of the basic signs off ebay, I have them for DS as I use a bit with him and there are a couple of kids at the school I work with who use it and it means one more person can communicate with them!!! Would you like me to photocopy and send??

Hulababy · 27/03/2009 16:44

WM - that would be fab :D Thanks so much.

And - how are you all?

OP posts:
PandaG · 27/03/2009 16:48

Hula - at some point we are hoping to do a course at my work for all staff -= I use Makaton a bit - have done a basic course myself but not all the rest of the staff have. Would you be interested in joining us if it was at a convenient time?

Hulababy · 28/03/2009 08:51

PandaG - definitely thank you

OP posts:
WedgiesMum · 28/03/2009 16:05

Will get on to it straight away although it may be towards the end of the week. Am only in work (so with access to copiers) tuesday to thursday atm. All well here. DS is settling in well to new school, but we are doing it slowly to build his confidence, hence me only working 3 days not 5! DD lovely as ever and growing up fast. How are you all??

Hulababy · 28/03/2009 21:01

We are really well. Was M's party today which went well Apparently she is an asset to her school, lol!

Glad to hear that DS's new school is going well.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page