A choral performance given by children during the opening ceremony of the first Xiamen International Children's Art Festival on June 1. [Photo/xmnn.cn]

The opening ceremony for the first Xiamen International Children's Art Festival was held on June 1, kicking off a series of art events running from June to July.

With the theme of "connecting the world with art and sharing the future with children", the festival aims at building an art communications platform for the family and children.

Four experts in the fields of art, family education and children's development shared their views on the psychological changes of children at different ages, and how parents should grow up together with their children.

Belinda McGuirk, program manager of the British theater company Chickenshed, shares her view on children's development on June 1. [Photo/xmnn.cn]

One of the experts, Belinda McGuirk, program manager of British theater company Chickenshed, explained how drama breaks down cultural barriers and allows children to learn confidence, to be expressive, improve their communication skills and realize their imagination in interactive performances, thus gaining decision-making power, perseverance, concentration and responsibility.

Many high-quality parent-child dramas from home and abroad will be staged in Xiamen over the next two months, including the Wizard of Oz, an original Broadway musical adapted from the Oscar-winning film with the same name.

Meanwhile, other activities, such as a public welfare art exhibition, an environmental protection creativity collection, art appreciation and behind-the-scenes explorations, will also be launched.