Malta Association of Play Therapists

01/12/2025

When a child can lean on a steady, calming presence, their nervous system learns what safety and regulation feel like. This process—co-regulation—is essential because it lays the foundation for a child’s ability to self-regulate later in life.

Play therapy gives co-regulation a central role. Through warm, attuned interactions in play, children experience support, connection, and emotional steadiness—key ingredients for building lifelong regulation skills. 🎨✨

24/11/2025

In play therapy, sensory experiences like paint, slime, sand, and water help children express feelings they don’t yet have words for. Through mess, movement, and creativity, kids explore emotions, build confidence, and feel safe to be themselves.

Messy play isn’t just fun—it’s powerful.🎨✨

17/11/2025

Play isn’t “just play” — it’s how children process emotions, build skills, and make sense of their world.

Play therapy gives children a safe space to express, heal, and grow in ways words alone can’t reach.

10/11/2025

🌿 Every word we speak to a child leaves an imprint.

The tone we use, the patience we show, and the way we respond to their emotions — all become part of their inner world. Over time, our voices become their self-talk — shaping how they see themselves and the world around them.

Play Therapy plays an important role in this.
Within the safety of play, children are given the space to express, explore, and make sense of their experiences — through toys, stories, art, and imagination.

In this space, they begin to find their own voice — one that speaks with kindness, courage, and confidence. 💛

06/11/2025

The power of play therapy ❣️

Play Therapy recognises exactly this.
Children’s play can often appear messy, chaotic or even confusing — but beneath it lies a profound process of communication and healing.

Through play, children express what they cannot yet put into words. A BAPT Registered Play Therapist ®️ provides the safe space, patience, and skilled attunement needed to help a child make sense of their experiences, regain control, and begin to heal.

True therapeutic play isn’t about directing a child — it’s about trusting them to lead their own process, at their own pace. That’s where growth happens. 💛

15/04/2025

Contact us if you need information or a consultation

X'inhi play therapy ? Denise Buckingham u Paula Calleja minn Malta Association of Play Therapists jispjegaw il-beneficcji li persuna tesprimi lilha nnifisha b-ghodda li f'dan il-kas huwa gugarelli bhal pupi, ramel jew tafal, strumenti muzikali fost ohrajn. Ideali ghal tfal kif ukoll ghal kbar, biex ikunu jistghu johorgu l- emozzjonijiet li ghandhom fis-subkonxju.
Makeup Marlene Vassallo Hair & Beauty Malta Association of Play Therapists
Makeup Marlene Vassallo Hair & Beauty

20/03/2025

"Musical instruments can be incredibly powerful in play therapy for helping children modulate their internal emotional states. The act of creating sound and rhythm gives children a concrete, external outlet for expressing and organising their internal chaos." BAPT

Musical instruments can be incredibly powerful in play therapy for helping children modulate their internal emotional states. The act of creating sound and rhythm gives children a concrete, external outlet for expressing and organising their internal chaos.

Rhythm and regulation:
Steady, predictable rhythms can activate the brain's calming systems, helping children regulate their nervous systems. Drumming, for example, can mimic the rhythm of a heartbeat, providing a sense of safety and grounding.

Emotional expression:
Instruments offer a non-verbal way for children to express complex emotions. A loud crash on a cymbal might externalise frustration, while soft tapping on a xylophone might reflect sadness or vulnerability.

Control and empowerment:
Choosing how and when to make sound gives children a sense of agency. It allows them to feel in control of their environment in a safe and contained way.

Co-regulation: When a therapist joins in musically — perhaps mirroring a rhythm or responding with complementary sounds — it can create a sense of connection and attunement, supporting the child's ability to regulate.

Creative processing: Improvising and experimenting with sound can help children process experiences, giving shape and meaning to feelings that may otherwise feel overwhelming or disorganised.

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07/02/2025

The powerful benefits of Play Therapy
From BAPT -- Play therapy is more than just play—it’s a vital tool for children to express, process and make sense of their world in a way that feels natural and safe. Through play, children find their voice, build resilience and develop the emotional strength they need to thrive.
By raising awareness of play therapy, we advocate for every child’s right to be seen, heard and supported.

Play therapy is more than just play—it’s a vital tool for children to express, process and make sense of their world in a way that feels natural and safe. Through play, children find their voice, build resilience and develop the emotional strength they need to thrive.

By raising awareness of play therapy, we advocate for every child’s right to be seen, heard and supported.

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05/02/2025

02/02/2025

What an honour to once again have Dr Erika Galea Erika Galea as our guest speaker where we delved further into Neuroscience, as seen through the lens of a Play Therapist, giving deeper meaning to our work and the play that unfolds during therapeutic sessions. A thoroughly enriching session. Thank you Dr Erika for your insightful contributions!

27/05/2024