Longest Standing Partytrap Animator - Steph A!

'Amazing', 'sweet' & "calm" are among the words our animators use to describe Steph (or as we call her Steph A). She has been in the team ever since Partytrap was conceived and this of course makes her the most experienced of us all.  Steph stands at a different level when it comes to transferring skills onto the rest of the team, in fact she is a role model to many of us.  This, together with her great patience and care, make her an exceptional leader.

As an animator Steph is one of the most versatile and gentle.  She can calmly handle any situation and age group with her poised and friendly character and this is why children feel at ease around her.

She has given a lot to Partytrap and we are all very grateful to be still enjoying her work, knowledge and friendship. We dedicate this blog post to her to share some captured memories of her within the team! Enjoy!

Children and Physical Play

Physical play includes activities that use physical movements to allow children to use their energy, giving children the chance to develop gross and fine motor skills, learn new things and socialize. Physical play also benefits a child’s health and understanding the importance of physical play is vital to your child’s development.

Ideal physical play incorporates play with social interactions and problem solving. Physical play provides various health benefits. It promotes early brain development and learning in infants and young children and decreases the risk of developing health conditions like coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, obesity and many other chronic health conditions.

Most children naturally develop the ability to run and walk. However, they require practice and instruction to develop hopping, galloping, sliding, catching, jumping, throwing, kicking, bouncing and striking skills. Children incorporate these skills into sports, games and dance. 

Playgrounds are perfect places for a child to develop mental connections, socialize and develop fine and gross motor skills mentioned before.

Although those who are parents now may have spent spent most of their childhood riding their bikes and playing games like baseball or football on side streets, many children today spend much of their time indoors, playing games on their tablets or watching television. Research has found that unstructured outdoor play is critical to the health of children. However, many have experienced a marked decline in the time they spend in free play.

Parytrap's Summer Club holds strong to the importance of physical play. It not only offers structured outdoor games but also opportunities for the children to explore and have fun in the sunshine of the great outdoors.


Written by Margaret Said, Partytrap Summer Club Coordinator

Temper tantrum crises!

Nowadays, perhaps more than before, many parents find themselves worrying trying to differentiate between what is considered to be 'normal' levels of 'naughtiness' and when their child's behaviour could be a sign of a behavioural or emotional problem. A few weeks ago I was asked to answer a few questions by Ramona Depares regarding behavioural disorders,when parents should start to worry, what are the symptoms and how they may access help and support.

As a parent, especially a new parent, one might find it difficult to know when to look for professional help or when there should be a cause for concern. A few years ago children who had many behavioural, social and emotional difficulties were not given the attention they needed because their behaviour was struck of as being 'naughty', 'lazy' or 'an attention seeker'. Today there is more information on the matter and many parents and teachers are recognising symptoms early which is helping children get the treatment they need. However I worry at times, that ordinary naughtiness might be misconstrued by worried as parents as symptoms of ADHD. I often hear people saying " Il-hin kollu joqmos dat-tifel, dak zgur ADHD" (that boy is always fidgeting, he's ADHD for sure". Sometimes it is important to realise that certain behaviours are a normal part of growing up, especially while the child is trying to form his or her identity in this world.

The feature also looks at possible reasons as to why some children engage in chronic lying and how parents might be able to handle this. If you have any experiences you would like to share please leave a comment below.

Below please find the featured interview by Ramona Depares that was published in the parenting section of the Sunday Times last weekend.

Press link to view full feature "On their worst behaviour"

Written by

Dr. Stephanie Bartolo
HCPC registered counselling psychologist (U.K)
Psychologist (under supervision) (Malta)

We're getting older, but we're not teenagers yet!

Last Saturday I popped by at a party to check if everything was going according to plan! Just a few minutes after I arrived, I bumped into another well known client of ours. The conversation that followed made me realise how fast time flies by!

This client's daughter is now 12 years old, and yet I remember clearly her party when she turned 5! At that instant I felt a mixture of feelings... 'older' was one description that fitted quite well, although I prefer picturing myself as 'more mature'. 'Satisfied' and 'fulfilled' were some other words which sprang to mind. 

themed party at Palazzo Parisio, Naxxar

However, it mostly made me feel proud of our team's efforts. It's great to look back and remember the hundreds upon hundreds of children and the way we helped put a smile on their faces, on their special day. My appreciation goes to each and every animator and service provider who has pitched in throughout the years, and to our loyal clients, who push us to deliver even better services over the years.

We are now very much looking forward to November 2015 where we shall celebrate our own 10th birthday party!! 

...let's partytrap!!