Aiming Higher

YOU CAN DONATE TO AIMING HIGHER USING THE FOLLOWING METHODS:

WEBSITE | www.aiminghighercharity.org.uk/donate JUST GIVING | www.justgiving/aiminghigher/donate/ PAYPAL | Found on Aiming Higher website or call to make donations by phone POST | Aiming Higher, 231 – 233 Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 3PB. To see more of what we do please visit our website www.aiminghighercharity.org.uk or follow us on facebook @aiminghighercharity.

Please ring us on 01253 206447 for further information.

Improving our Early Years Children’s Communication through the Power of Sign

Aiming Higher has several services that we offer, one of which is funded by Children in Need. The project, established in 2019, has a timetable of activities, all configured to compliment Early Childhood Development. Many of the disabled children who access this service are behind in meeting their developmental milestones. The sessions we provide are an extra support for parents to try and get them closer to meeting their individual goals.

One of the weekly sessions we provide is Makaton. Makaton is a fun and easy way to learn an alternative form of communication, for those who are preverbal or anyone living with a learning difficulty. Incorporating simple signs and symbols, alongside speech, can have a powerful impact on the user, promoting independence and inclusion..

At Aiming Higher we are fortunate enough to run Makaton training in partnership with Berni Ashworth, Blackpool’s Communication and Interaction Support Worker.

We invite both parents/carers and children under 5 to attend the 6-week course at our centre on Church Street, Blackpool. Sessions take place on a Thursday afternoon, 30 minutes practical learning through song and repetition and 15 minutes wind down in the sensory room. (Seen pictured overleaf)

Many of the children who attend our preschool groups often present in the preverbal stages of communication. Acquiring the skills to sign/gesture their needs and wants can often eliminate frustration.

Ryan and his Mum Amanda, (pictured overleaf), have found the course so beneficial that they have signed up to repeat the course, to affirm their learning.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of the short course:

1. Have a basic understanding of Makaton 2. Understand how Makaton can be used with singing 3. Understand how to facilitate choices using symbols and signs 4. Understand that songs can be adapted to suit the differing abilities of individuals or small groups 5. Be informed about other Makaton workshops and courses, access to signs, symbols and resources 6. Be informed about additional resources that can support session content

Weekly handouts are available to take home to practise the new signs studied that week.

On completion of the course, parents and carers will receive a Makaton Signing for Babies, pocket sized book of signs and symbols.

This includes the signs and symbols that have been learnt, along with additional everyday signs. A certificate of attendance is awarded to both parent/carer and child.

Berni also runs the Early Bird and Cygnet Programmes in Blackpool. These are support programmes for parents and carers, offering advice and guidance on strategies and approaches to working with autistic children.

For more information: National Autistic Society (autism.org.uk).

Many of our Parents have accessed these courses and found them invaluable, following an autism diagnosis within the family.

If you are a parent/carer or are aware of anyone who may benefit from these sessions, please use our contact details provided to book.

Like all charities, Aiming Higher saw fund-raising activity decrease in 2020 and 2021, so if you can support them in any way possible, any assistance will be gratefully received.

Please send your ideas to: latoyasykes@aiminghighercharity.org.uk