Sign up to our newsletter for the latest Sunderland news Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Children from a new nursery school in Tyne and Wear celebrated the joys of friendship inspired by Disney On Ice presents Frozen , arriving at the Metro Radio Arena next week.

The Disney On Ice day at Kids 1st nursery in Ashbrooke, Sunderland , included a friendship workshop, created and delivered by education advice service First & Foremost.

The friendship workshop consisted of children taking part in a variety of activities, including a Friendship Train, and creating Friendship hand prints to represents leaves on a Friendship Tree.

Project leader Carole Hewison, from First & Foremost, explained: “Friends are vital to Preschool children’s healthy development. Friendships provide children with more than just fun play mates, it also helps children develop emotionally and morally.

“In interacting with friends, children learn a lot of social skills, such as how to communicate, cooperate, and solve problems. They practise controlling their emotions and responding to the emotions of others.

(Image: Tony Hall Photography)

“They develop the ability to think through and negotiate different situations that arise in their relationships. Having friends even affects children’s school performance.

“Children tend to have better attitudes about school and learning when they have friends to share it with. Using storytelling, like Frozen, can help kids to learn these values in a really relatable way.”

Everyone taking part in the friendship sessions at all Kids 1st nurseries in the region were entered into a lucky draw to win tickets to see Disney On Ice presents Frozen.

Children unveiled the first of 13 Friendship Stations, areas where children can sit and bond together, sponsored by Disney On Ice, that will be rolled out at Kids 1st nurseries throughout the North East, including a new site due to open in Jesmond in November.

Kelly Walsh Senior Area Manager, at Kids 1st, said: “Here at Kids 1st we’re recognised as providing the highest quality childcare in the UK , and pride ourselves on our many outstanding features.

(Image: Tony Hall Photography)

“We are delighted to join forces with Disney On Ice to deliver a day full of fun and surprises, that also has a caring message at its core.

“The children and staff have had a fantastic time, and we are very grateful to Disney On Ice for donating special Friendship Stations that will last throughout our children’s pre-school journeys here at Kids 1st.

“We’re all very much looking forward to seeing the ice spectacular when it arrives in Newcastle in October.”

Steven Armstrong, Europe North Vice President for Feld Entertainment, producers of Disney On Ice, added: “We’re thrilled to be able to join forces with Kids 1st to highlight the values of love and friendship between young friends. It looks like a great day was had by all, and we look forward to welcoming our young fans this month when Disney On Ice presents Frozen arrives in the North East.”

With a soundtrack that inspires young and old to sing and dance along, Disney On Ice presents Frozen transports audiences to a wintry and spellbinding world.

The hilarious antics of snowman Olaf; rugged mountain man Kristoff; his loyal reindeer Sven, and the mystical trolls bring a playful quality to the show, which is accompanied by a clever and spectacular array of special effects including a projection canopy that lights the ice with Elsa’s power, making Disney On Ice presents Frozen the must-see magical event of the season.

Disney On Ice presents Frozen is at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle from October 18 to 23.