If you’ve recently received your child’s diagnosis, or you’re a teacher or practitioner welcoming a pupil with Down syndrome into your setting, you may have heard the word “Makaton” and wondered where to start.

This guide explains what Makaton is, why it can be particularly helpful for children with Down syndrome, and how you can begin – whether you’re at home or in the classroom.

What is Makaton?

Makaton is a communication programme that uses signs, symbols and speech together to support communication. Unlike British Sign Language (BSL), which is a full language in its own right used by Deaf communities, Makaton is designed to support spoken language – not replace it.

When using Makaton, key words are signed while speaking the full sentence aloud. For example, when asking, ‘Do you want more banana?’, you would sign BANANA, and later introduce MORE as your child learns additional signs. The spoken sentence remains complete; the signs simply highlight the most important words.

Symbols (simple visual pictures) can also be used to support understanding in books, routines, and learning materials. These do not tend to be used so much in the early days at home. As a new parent, we would recommend focusing on just learning and using some key signs first.

Makaton is used across the UK in homes, schools, nurseries, and healthcare settings. You may even recognise it from the BBC children’s programme Something Special, which has helped to make it a familiar part of many children’s lives.

Why do children with Down syndrome often benefit from Makaton?

Children with Down syndrome are individuals first, and communication experiences vary. That said, most children with Down syndrome will experience delay in communication and language development.

There’s often a gap between understanding and speaking

Research shows that children with Down syndrome tend to have stronger receptive language skills than expressive ones. In other words, they can often understand a great deal more than they are yet able to say out loud. Makaton can provide an additional means of expressing ideas, choices and needs that a child may not yet be able to communicate clearly through speech alone, whilst spoken language continues to develop – potentially reducing frustration and supporting connection

Children with Down syndrome tend to be strong visual learners

Many children with Down syndrome show relative strengths in visual learning and visual processing compared with some aspects of spoken language development. Makaton uses visual signs and symbols alongside speech, which can provide additional support for understanding and communication.

Makaton can support speech

One of the most common concerns parents raise is whether using signs might mean their child never speaks. Research and clinical practice suggest that signing systems such as Makaton can support communication and language development and do not appear to hinder the development of spoken language. However, children vary considerably in how they use signs and in the rate at which speech develops.

It can reduce frustration and support positive behaviour

Children with Down syndrome often understand more than they can express through speech. Makaton gives children another way to communicate key words and messages by using signs alongside spoken language. For example, a child may be able to sign “more”, “help”, “drink”, “finished” or “hurt” before they can say these words clearly. Having an additional way to communicate can support participation in everyday interactions and may help reduce frustration when speech is not yet meeting a child’s communication needs.

It can build skills across the board

Using signs, symbols and speech together may provide opportunities to practise skills such as attention, imitation and motor coordination during everyday interactions.

Makaton at home: how parents can get started

You don’t need to be a specialist to begin using Makaton with your child. The most important thing is to start simply and build gradually.

Start with signs that matter most

Focus first on the words your child encounters every day: “more,” “eat,” “drink,” “finished,” sleep  and the names of favourite people, foods, toys or activities. Meaningful, motivating signs are the ones that stick.

Always speak and sign at the same time

Makaton is designed to work with speech, not instead of it. Remember to just sign key words, and always say the word aloud as you sign it – this is how children make the connection between the sign and the spoken word.

Use Makaton in daily routines

Meal times, bath time, getting dressed, bedtime stories – these repeated moments are where language really takes root. Weaving signs into familiar routines means children encounter them often, in context, without it feeling like a lesson.

Don’t worry about getting it perfect

Your child will benefit far more from a parent who signs confidently and imperfectly than from one who waits until they feel expert. Makaton is a shared language, and it grows through use.

Learning together

There are courses and resources designed specifically for parents – including our own training sessions. These give you the signs most relevant to your child’s stage and setting, plus the confidence to use them.