Makaton International Awareness Day
August 28 · Level 1 · #2094 of 2238
Makaton is a communication approach that combines speech, signs and symbols. It helps children and adults with speech or learning difficulties express themselves and understand others, and this day introduces it to people who have not met it yet.
How it is celebrated: schools, families and charities run taster sessions, teach a few everyday signs and sing songs with Makaton signing. Many people film short clips of themselves saying hello or sending kind wishes in signs.
The name is built from the first letters of the first names of its three British creators: Margaret, Kathy and Tony. The programme took shape in the 1970s.