Chocolate brings joy to everyone, especially children. At DPS Surajkund, we celebrated World Chocolate Day with various hands-on activities designed to help our students learn about chocolate, which has become an integral part of our celebrations.
The history of chocolate, as rich as its taste, was explored with our little learners. Originating from the ancient Mesoamerican civilization, chocolate was initially derived from bitter cocoa beans. When Spanish conquerors encountered it in the 16th century, they introduced sugar to the mix, making chocolate popular and turning it into a beloved household treat. Major chocolate companies such as Cadbury, Hershey, Nestlé, and Ferrero began their operations in the 19th and 20th centuries and are now renowned for their iconic chocolates.
Our Pre-Nursery children at DPS Surajkund explored various aspects of chocolate. They discussed its flavours, textures, and colours, which helped expand their vocabulary and improve their language skills. Activities like sharing chocolate, participating in group projects, decorating chocolate treats, and making chocolate crafts fostered creativity, and imaginative play, and taught valuable lessons in sharing and cooperation.
For our Montessori students, the special event included an engaging chocolate-tasting activity, celebrating the joy of chocolate. This activity provided a safe introduction to how chocolate candies are made with kid-friendly portions and was closely supervised to ensure a delightful experience. The children enthusiastically tasted the treats they made and took home their creations as culinary keepsakes for their parents.
Classes Nursery through Grade I delved into the age-appropriate history and origin of chocolate, creating booklets to remember their learning. They explored different varieties of chocolate, such as dark, milk, and white, and engaged in making chocolates from scratch, which they also took home.
Overall, World Chocolate Day was an enriching experience for our students, combining fun and learning in a memorable way.
