A north Suffolk pre-school is using a form of sign language not only to help children who cannot speak at all but as a way to improve all youngsters' communication abilities.

Before a child learns to speak, using their hands and facial gestures are often the only way they can communicate.

Sharon Ashton, special educational needs co-ordinator at St Edmund's Pre-School in Hoxne, near Diss, started to learn this through Makaton, when two-year-old Austin Pilch, who had an element of delay in his speech, started to attend.

It was suggested the language programme – which is designed to help those who cannot communicate effectively by speaking – could help the boy to ask for milk, water and his parents to read for him.

But having introduced it to him within the pre-school, manager Amanda Davies said they noticed it was 'something being embraced by all the children'.

Now other workers at the centre in Oak Hill, Hoxne have been trained to use the technique – so all children can be taught how to use it and benefit from greater communication skills.

'It has been a wonderful success story,' said Mrs Davies, adding that learning signs for objects helps their understanding of language and learn words later on, as the signs and symbols give visual support to the words being spoken.

'We're delighted that this generation is learning to use it for communication in a wider area.'

She stressed that Makaton is not a replacement for children learning to talk and that it does not delay their speech but enhances their overall abilities, as it enables them to interact better with other children and adults.

That interaction, in turn, aids their emotional development – and using their hands to make signs can help their physical skills too, she added.

'It is vital in giving children the confidence, if they can't yet speak, to be able to communicate with each other,' Mrs Davies said.

The Makaton Charity has said that for many children it can often take away the frustration they feel at not being able to get their thoughts or what they want across – thereby improving behaviour.

Mrs Davies said St Edmund's Pre-School now tries to use Makaton as much as possible and plans to continue using it as part of its daily routine.

She said it was particularly useful for highlighting objects and giving instructions. For example children can learn to ask for a drink, whereas staff can use it to say 'break-time' or ask children to wash their hands.

Posters are displayed so that non-users can learn some of the signs and St Edmund's has also been awarded Makaton-Friendly status by the Makaton Charity, because of its widespread use in the setting.

'Overall, it's a fantastic addition to anyone's language skills,' the pre-school said.

Is your child's school and pre-school using innovative methods to teach young people new skills? Email newsdesk@archant.co.uk