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MAKATON MONTHLY
September 2019
Hello! Welcome to the September issue of Makaton Monthly. We hope you had a lovely summer.
REVISED TRAINING
We’ve combined the two previous training pathways for professionals and parents/carers into one route to make Makaton training more streamlined and easier to access. As a result, we are proud to announce the revised Makaton workshops named Level 1 and Level 2.

These workshops are based on the previous Beginners’ and Foundation Workshops and are a combination of the best of both. The Level 1 and Level 2 workshops combined provide the same level of knowledge and vocabulary as  a complete Beginners’ or Foundation Workshop. 

This flexible and blended approach provides an interactive and hands-on workshop. By combining the two pathways we have made Makaton training more streamlined, which provides a more accessible and inclusive learning environment.

The workshops are now aimed at both professionals and parents/carers, which means that all Makaton users can share a wide range of personal experiences, from using Makaton within the family to school, work and everyday life.
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See you at a Makaton workshop soon!

Senior Tutor Mike Harris is running a combined Level 1 and Level 2 workshop on 13th and 14th November at our head office in Farnborough, cost £145.
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training@makaton.org

We’re also developing a Level 3 workshop based on the current Follow-Up and Enhancement Workshops.

As part of the development, Makaton Tutor Helen Hayhoe is running a pilot Level 3 workshop at our head office in Farnborough on 27th and 28th November, at a cost of £199.50 (this is a reduced introductory price as it is still in the pilot phase).
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training@makaton.org

RESOURCES
The new Now and Next resource provides a visual prompt to help Makaton users to move on from one activity to another, and to prepare them for what will happen next.

It can also be used to show them that a preferred activity (one which they find motivating) will happen, but after something else, for example 'Now puzzle, next computer.'

Knowing what to expect and when can help to reduce anxiety for some users.
 
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Now and Next resource

Do you have a doctor's appointment coming up? Not sure how to prepare your special little person? Does your favourite little person need a haircut but struggle to understand the different lights, sounds and smells they will find when they get there? Is your favourite little person worried at the thought of going to the supermarket?

The Lemon Tree series of social story books have been designed by a Special Education Needs Coordinator to support children and their families. They may be helpful for those who have autism, global development delay, Down’s syndrome or other additional needs.

Have fun using a few key Makaton signs to support the story.
 
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Lemon Tree books

New Mr Tumble Play Pack, £19.99, with:
  • Hello Hello Talking Mr Tumble
  • BBC Something Special magazine: 6 special edition issues
  • 6 colourful sticker sheets
  • A to Z Makaton poster
  • 70 Gold Star reward stickers
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Only available from '5 Minute Fun Shop'

YOUR STORIES
At the end of September 2018 Kerry’s mum was diagnosed with a rare psychological condition called Disassociative Fugue State. This condition means that the sufferer can ‘forget’ who they are, where they are, or the identity of any persons around them. It can also lead to wandering off and loss of speech.

“She used Makaton for the first time when she was distressed and with her sister. She started to sign and her sister filmed it and sent it to me and I was able to tell her that mum was saying she wanted to go home.

“I truly believe that Makaton has done more for mum so far than any doctor or tablet has been able to achieve for many months. It acts as a brilliant grounding tool and seems to focus her mind somewhat and drags her back into the here and now.”
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Kerry's story

Katie uses Makaton with her daughter Gracie as well as in her SENCO role in a nursery.

“I have become somewhat of a champion for Makaton as it is used within our setting on a daily basis, and several other parents have signed up to courses as a result, understanding that it is an aid to communication and never a replacement for language.

"Surely all we want as parents and practitioners is for our children to be understood and their voices heard... being non-verbal certainly doesn't mean you have nothing to say!”
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Makaton changes lives

Ann Cardinal attended the very first Makaton workshop run by Margaret Walker at Botleys Park Hospital in 1974.

“Having struggled to teach some of the Paget Gorman Signs to an adult with a learning disability living in a large hospital outside Norwich it became obvious that Makaton would be the solution to improving his communication as well as that of so many others.”
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45 years of Makaton

Thornbury has launched a Communication Trail with around 40 posters displayed in shops and other organisations around the town.

“The trail has attracted a lot of interest amongst the public, with lots of mainstream school children taking part, learning about different ways of communication, picking up some signs.”
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Thornbury Communication Trail

NEWS
Are you ready for a musical adventure? This year's CBeebies Prom is being broadcast on CBeebies at 9.30am on Saturday 14th September.

This year's Prom features the amazing orchestra Chineke. The CBeebies Prommers are on a musical journey to the moon, just like the astronauts 50 years ago.
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Justin Fletcher & friends introduces the CBeebies Prom

TUTOR TRAINING
Tutor training in 2020 is changing. It will still be a four-day residential course, but running Monday to Wednesday, with an assessment day two weeks later.

The cost will still include tuition, all course materials, accommodation Monday and Tuesday night, and Sunday night prior to the assessment day, all meals, and a copy of the Level 1 and Level 2 Tutor Packs on successful completion.
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training@makaton.org

We are delighted and excited to announce that Tutor training is coming to Scotland in June 2020, the course will be held at the University of Stirling on 1st – 3rd June 2020 and 22nd June 2020 (assessment day).

Please spread the word and if you know anyone that is interested, please ask them to email training@makaton.org for an application pack.

Here’s the full list of dates for Tutor training in 2020:
  • 3rd – 5th February 2020 & 24th February 2020 (assessment day)
    Yarnfield Park, Staffordshire
  • 27th – 29th April 2020 & 11th May 2020 (assessment day)
    Wyboston Lakes, Bedfordshire
  • 1st – 3rd June 2020 & 22nd June 2020 (assessment day)
    University of Stirling, Stirling
  • 15th – 17th June 2020 & 6th July 2020 (assessment day)
    RAU, Cirencester
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training@makaton.org

FREE RESOURCES
Thursday 19th September be Talk Like a Pirate Day. To get ye into the swing o' things we've got a free download o' pirate Makaton symbols and signs for ye to use. Aarrrr!
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Talk Like A Pirate Day

Makaton symbols and signs to help enjoyment and understanding of the book The Bus is for Us by Michael Rosen.
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The Bus is for Us

Have you learnt the Sign of the Week?

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Sign of the Week

Let's talk Makaton
Copyright © 2019 The Makaton Charity, All rights reserved.


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