Hands On Communication UK

Hands On Communication UK My name is Kirsty Davison I am a qualified Makaton Tutor and a communication consultant.

My name is Kirsty Davison and I have over 20 years’ experience working in the early years sector specifically working with children with a range of speech, language and communication needs. I have an NVQ Level 3 in childcare and a BA Hons Degree in early Childhood Studies. I am extremely passionate about making sure that every child has a voice, and that young children and families receive the bes

t support possible to ensure this. I worked for Sheffield Speech and language Therapy Service for 13 years and specialised in working with children with autism spectrum disorder and complex needs. I have also worked at the Ucan Centre for children with a diagnosis of Developmental Language Disorder. I worked for Sheffield Local Authority for 5 years in the Quality Improvement Team where I worked extensively with schools and early years settings to improve communication opportunities for young children and training childminders, teachers teaching assistants and early years practitioners as part of the Speak up for Sheffield programme. I have used Makaton with children and their families for many years and have extensive experience working in schools to support children with speech, language and communication needs. Early in my career, it was clear to me that many people would benefit from using Makaton. I strongly believe that providing good quality Makaton training, activities and ongoing support will have a significant positive impact on communication skills particularly for young children. I am also trained and highly experienced in other therapy techniques such as The Picture Exchange Communication System, Intensive Interaction and Attention Autism and Therapeutic Play. I am able to provide bespoke support to families and settings on the use of these approaches please contact me for more information

Do you work with babies, toddlers or pre-school children?Do you want to give every child the best possible start in comm...
04/05/2026

Do you work with babies, toddlers or pre-school children?

Do you want to give every child the best possible start in communication?

Are you looking for practical tools you can use straight away to support children’s understanding and expression?

This 3-hour interactive workshop is designed for early years professionals who want to create calm, engaging and inclusive environments where all children can thrive. Makaton helps children connect, express themselves, and feel understood, even before they can speak.

Why this workshop matters
Support early communication and language development
Reduce frustration and help children express their needs
Strengthen bonds between children, parents and practitioners
Create an inclusive setting that supports every child’s communication
What will you learn?
This workshop gives you the confidence and tools to:

Use Makaton signs and symbols alongside speech during daily routines and activities
Support children's understanding and ability to make choices
Embed signing into songs, stories, and play
Involve parents, carers and other professionals in consistent communication support
Create inclusive environments where all children can participate and belong
Workshop content
The session covers:

How Makaton supports early communication and language development
The communication journey and the importance of visual support
Key signs and symbols for daily routines and play
Practical strategies for embedding signing into everyday interactions
Signing through stories, songs and group activities
Real-life examples and practical exercises with support from your Tutor/Trainer
You'll also explore phrases commonly used in early years settings, such as:

“Do you want a drink of milk or water?”
“Are you feeling worried?”
“Where are the bricks?”
“Have you finished drawing?”
“Which toy would you like?”
“Great sitting and listening. Well done!”
Who is this for?
This workshop is ideal for anyone working with young children, including:

Nursery and pre-school staff
Early years teachers and SENCOs
Childminders and family support workers
Speech and language professionals
Children’s centre staff and outreach teams
No previous experience with Makaton is needed.

How it works
3-hour interactive session
Available online or face-to-face
Delivered by a licensed Makaton Tutor/Trainer
Includes official Makaton resources and certificate of attendance

The first course I will be running is Saturday 13th June 9.30-12.30 via zoom
I am running an introductory offer of £80pp places are limited ! To book a place message me via messenger or email [email protected]

Address

Sheffield

Telephone

+447912613544

Website

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