Better Communication Together CIC

What Is Makaton Core Vocabulary?

Everyone has a core vocabulary - even people who do not use Makaton.

It is the relatively small collection of words and concepts that we rely on repeatedly in everyday communication. These are the building blocks that help us express a wide range of meanings across different situations.

The Makaton Core Vocabulary was developed around this same principle. It is a carefully selected collection of high-frequency, high-utility concepts that provide the greatest opportunity for everyday communication.

Rather than teaching vocabulary alphabetically or by topic, the Core Vocabulary gives people flexible concepts that can be combined and built upon as communication develops.

So how is it organised?

How is the Makaton Core Vocabulary organised?

The Core Vocabulary is divided into eight stages. Broadly speaking, the earlier stages focus on immediate needs, familiar people, everyday activities and concrete concepts that many people experience regularly. As the stages progress, the vocabulary reflects an expanding world - school, work, community, relationships, interests and increasingly abstract ideas such as time, quantity and money.

The stages are not a measure of difficulty or importance. They simply provide a structured framework that helps communication develop over time.

When the Core Vocabulary was first revised in 1996, an Additional Stage was introduced.

Unlike Stages 1–8, the Additional Stage is not organised in priority order. Instead, it is divided into two themed lists:

• List A – food, rooms and cultural greetings
• List B – health, personal care and people

Within each list, the concepts are organised by topic and then alphabetically.

It's also important to remember that the stages are an organisational tool, not a teaching prescription. Individuals may learn concepts from different stages—or from the Resource Vocabulary—whenever they are meaningful or needed.

Where did the Core Vocabulary come from?

The Makaton Core Vocabulary didn't appear overnight.

In the early 1970s, speech and language therapist Margaret Walker began researching the language needs of adults with severe communication difficulties. Rather than beginning with a dictionary and deciding which words should be included, Walker observed the concepts people actually needed in order to understand others and express themselves in everyday life. Those observations became the foundation of the Core Vocabulary.

If you'd like to hear the story in Margaret's own words, The Makaton Charity has a wonderful video in which she explains how Makaton first began:

A Brief History of Makaton – Margaret Walker

Since those early days, the Core Vocabulary has been reviewed and refined to reflect changes in language, society and the needs of Makaton users. It is currently undergoing another review, continuing the same process of careful development that began over 50 years ago.

Final thoughts

The Makaton Core Vocabulary isn't about deciding which words are important enough to learn.

It's about identifying the concepts that unlock the greatest number of communication opportunities.

Combined with personalised Resource Vocabulary, it gives people both the flexibility to communicate in everyday situations and the freedom to talk about the things that matter most to them.

It's not about restricting communication.

It's about giving people the strongest possible foundation on which communication can continue to grow throughout life.

One of the biggest misconceptions about Makaton is that the Core Vocabulary is all the vocabulary there is. In reality, it's just the foundation. In my next article, I'll explore the myth that Makaton is "too limited" and explain why the vocabulary is far more extensive than many people realise.

About the author

Nic Pike is Director of Better Communication Together CIC and a Licensed Makaton Tutor and Tutor Training Facilitator. She writes about Makaton, accessible communication and inclusive practice, drawing on over 40 years' professional experience and lived experience as a parent of a Makaton user.

© 2026 Better Communication Together CIC. All rights reserved.

 This article is provided for personal learning and information. Please link to this page rather than copying or republishing the content.

Makaton Isn't Just for Young Children

Makaton doesn't have an age limit because communication doesn't have an age limit.

One of the most common misconceptions I come across is that Makaton is something children use until they learn to talk.

I regularly read comments describing Makaton as an approach that "supports young children" or "helps children develop speech." While it certainly can do those things, that's only part of the story.

The idea that Makaton has an expiry date is a myth.

Every person's communication journey is different.

Some people go on to use lots of spoken language. Others use speech and signs together. Some continue to rely mainly on signs and symbols throughout their lives. There isn't a single "right" destination, and communication doesn't stop being important when childhood ends.

I'm the parent of a nearly 19-year-old son. (How did that happen?)

He is non-speaking and uses Makaton every day. If Makaton is only meant for young children, what exactly is he supposed to do now?

Turn 18 and suddenly stop communicating?

Of course not.

The reality is that many teenagers and adults continue to benefit from Makaton throughout their lives. They use it to make choices, build relationships, express opinions, ask for help, enjoy hobbies, tell jokes, join conversations and take part in their communities. Communication doesn't become less important as we get older. If anything, it becomes even more important as we gain independence and make more decisions about our own lives.

The problem isn't that people outgrow Makaton. Too often, the opportunities to learn and use it become much harder to find.

Children may have parents, teachers, teaching assistants and therapists who have had Makaton training. As they move into adult services, that support can become much more limited. There are often fewer opportunities for staff training, fewer organisations investing in communication, and an expectation that people should somehow manage without the support they have relied on for years.

But communication needs don't disappear on someone's eighteenth birthday.

Adults still need to make choices, build friendships, access healthcare, enjoy hobbies, get a job, join community activities and have their voices heard. Makaton can continue to play an important role in making those things possible.

Perhaps the question shouldn't be, "Why are they still using Makaton?"

Perhaps it should be, "Why have we stopped providing people around them with the opportunity to learn it?"

Makaton isn't only valuable for people who have used it since childhood. It can also become an important communication support later in life.

For example, The Makaton Charity has developed Watch My Needs, a workshop designed for adults who are beginning to experience changes in memory, understanding and communication, such as those living with dementia. The focus is on helping people maintain independence, make choices and continue taking part in everyday life, alongside someone who supports them.

That alone challenges the idea that Makaton is "just for children."

From toddlers learning their first words, to teenagers finding their voice, to adults with lifelong communication needs, to older people experiencing changes in memory and understanding, communication support matters at every stage of life.

Makaton isn't about age.

It's about giving people the tools to understand, express themselves and stay connected for as long as those tools are helpful.

From toddlers learning their first words, to teenagers with lifelong communication needs, to adults making choices about work and relationships, to older people living with dementia...

Makaton doesn't have an age limit because communication doesn't have an age limit.

Communication is a lifelong human right. The support we provide shouldn't disappear simply because someone gets older.

About the author

Nic Pike is Director of Better Communication Together CIC and a Licensed Makaton Tutor and Tutor Training Facilitator. She writes about Makaton, accessible communication and inclusive practice, drawing on over 40 years' professional experience and lived experience as a parent of a Makaton user.

© 2026 Better Communication Together CIC. All rights reserved.

 This article is provided for personal learning and information. Please link to this page rather than copying or republishing the content.

The Makaton Charity's Makaton Places initiative recognises organisations that are committed to inclusive communication through its Makaton Aware and Makaton Friendly schemes. Whether you're working towards one of these recognised standards or simply looking for practical ways to make a difference, every step towards better communication counts.

The good news is that small changes can have a big impact. From using everyday signs and symbols to giving people more time to process information, there are lots of practical ways to create a place where communication can thrive.

Whether you're a school, nursery, workplace, healthcare setting, church, visitor attraction, leisure centre or care provider, creating a Makaton-friendly environment is about much more than learning a few signs. It's about making communication easier, reducing barriers and helping everyone feel included. Here are ten simple ideas to help make your organisation more Makaton friendly.

1. Start with a warm welcome

Learn to sign simple greetings like hello, good morning, thank you and goodbye. A friendly signed greeting can instantly make someone feel included.

2. Make key information visual

Add Makaton Symbols alongside words on important signs such as:

• Toilets
• Reception
• Café
• Exit
• Lift
• First Aid
• Information

Symbols help many people understand their surroundings more easily.

3. Learn the vocabulary you use every day

You don't need to know hundreds of signs.

A café might learn:

• tea
• coffee
• cake
• pay
• finished

A visitor attraction might learn:

• ticket
• toilet
• café
• dinosaur
• playground

Start with what's relevant.

4. Encourage everyone to join in

Makaton works best when everyone feels able to use it. Encourage staff to use the signs they know, even if it's only a few.

You don't have to be fluent to make a difference.

5. Use signs with speech

Remember that Makaton is designed to support spoken language, not replace it. Say the word as you sign it and remember you don't sign every word - just the most important ones!

6. Slow down and give processing time

Signing naturally encourages people to communicate at a more manageable pace. Pause after asking questions and allow time for a response.

7. Include Makaton in everyday activities

Use signs during:

• meetings
• songs
• stories
• announcements
• routines
• greetings
• celebrations

The more naturally it's used, the more familiar it becomes.

8. Let people know you're committed to inclusive communication

People are more likely to feel confident using your services if they know communication has been considered before they arrive.

If your organisation has achieved Makaton Friendly status through The Makaton Charity's Makaton Places programme, you'll receive resources to help you demonstrate your commitment, including an annual window sticker and certificate, a 6 Steps to Makaton Friendly staff poster, an Ask for Help poster for visitors, and symbol cards to improve navigation around your setting.

These resources don't just raise awareness - they provide practical prompts for staff and reassurance for people who use Makaton and their families that communication is valued.

Even if you're not yet part of the scheme, think about how you can show your commitment to accessible communication. Small visual cues can reassure people that they're welcome and encourage them to communicate in the way that works best for them.

9. Keep learning together

Choose a new sign each week or month and encourage everyone to practise it. Small, regular steps are much easier than trying to learn everything at once.

10. Remember that communication is about connection

The goal isn't perfect signing. It's making people feel seen, understood and included. Even if you only know a handful of signs, using them with warmth and confidence can make a lasting difference.

About the author

Nic Pike is Director of Better Communication Together CIC and a Licensed Makaton Tutor and Tutor Training Facilitator. She writes about Makaton, accessible communication and inclusive practice, drawing on over 40 years' professional experience and lived experience as a parent of a Makaton user.

© 2026 Better Communication Together CIC. All rights reserved.

 This article is provided for personal learning and information. Please link to this page rather than copying or republishing the content.

Our hands and our words work together

Think about the last time you were trying to explain something.

Chances are you didn't keep your hands perfectly still. You probably pointed, demonstrated the size of something, mimed an action or gestured without even realising it.

We all do it.

Gesture isn't something separate from language - it's part of how humans communicate.

Research suggests that the brain systems involved in gesture and speech are closely connected. In fact, many studies have found that people naturally gesture more when they're thinking, searching for a word or explaining a new idea. Those movements don't replace speech; they work alongside it.

Makaton builds on this natural connection.

By pairing speech with meaningful hand movements, we're giving the brain another route to understand, remember and express language. Rather than competing with speech, the two work together.

Will Using Makaton Stop Someone from Talking?

It's a question we used to hear all the time.

Thankfully, it doesn't come up quite as often now because there's much greater awareness of what Makaton is and how it supports communication. But every now and then, someone will still ask: "Won't using Makaton stop them from talking?"

It's a completely understandable question.

Many people assume that if someone starts using signs, they'll stop trying to speak. It seems logical at first glance - if they can sign what they want, why would they need to talk?

But that's not how communication works.

In fact, the opposite is often true. Rather than replacing speech, Makaton gives people another way to communicate while their spoken language develops. For many people, it actually supports speech, rather than getting in the way of it.

Understanding always comes before expression. Before we can use a word ourselves, we first need to understand what it means. 

By making language easier to understand, Makaton gives people stronger foundations for developing spoken language. As their understanding grows, many people become more confident to attempt speech because the words have meaning, rather than simply being sounds they've heard. One of the things I talk about in my workshops is that there is often nothing in the sound of a word that tells us what it means. If I say banana, there's nothing about those sounds that looks or feels like a banana. We simply have to learn that the sounds and the object belong together.

Makaton helps make that connection. The spoken word is paired with a visual sign and symbol, giving the brain more information to work with. Instead of hearing an abstract sound, the learner hears the word while seeing a visual representation of the concept at the same time.

This can make it much easier to understand new vocabulary and remember it later.

We always speak when we sign

This is one of the most important principles of Makaton.

When using Makaton, communication partners continue to speak as they sign. We don't replace words with signs; we use signs to support the key words in what we're saying.

That means the learner is:

• hearing the spoken word
• seeing the sign
• and, where appropriate, seeing the symbol too.

These all reinforce one another and help make the message easier to understand.

If we stopped speaking whenever we signed, we'd actually be taking away opportunities for the learner to hear spoken language. By speaking and signing together, we're continually modelling speech while making it more accessible.

Every person's communication journey is different.

Some people go on to use lots of spoken language. Others use speech and signs together. Some continue to rely mainly on signs throughout their lives.

None of these outcomes is a failure.

The goal has never been speech at any cost. The goal is communication. And when communication becomes easier, speech often follows.