Makaton

Riverside School is a certified member of the Makaton Friendly Scheme. This means, we have been recognised that we are promoting makaton to help with communication among our pupils and parents.  We are one of the first organisations in the Antrim area to be awarded this status. We have two Makaton Champions in our staff team,  Mrs Amy Well manages our Makaton choir for both the Junior and the Senior pupils. 

Watch our videos below to help you learn new signs. 

What is Makaton?  [https://www.makaton.org/aboutMakaton]

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.

For those who have experienced the frustration of being unable to communicate meaningfully or effectively, Makaton really can help. Makaton takes away that frustration and enables individuals to connect with other people and the world around them. This opens up all kinds of possibilities.

Useful Links

The website provides a monthly newsletter which parents can avail off.  This website also offers a numbers of free resources.  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/makaton

This website offers parents and careers information on makaton and also offers resources which are easily accessible from home.

[https://makaton.org/TMC/TMC/About_Makaton/What_is_Makaton.aspx]