Nourished and Thriving Children Toolkit

SPOON's Nourished and Thriving Children Toolkit is a trauma-informed feeding and nutrition training program for use in the United States. Its goal is to improve the growth, health, and well-being of children who have experienced trauma, so they have the chance they deserve to thrive.

Children who have experienced trauma, including children in foster care, are at high risk for malnutrition. Trauma can often contribute to food-related and nutrition challenges. SPOON has developed the following training and resources tailored for service providers, child welfare professionals, caregivers, and others who support children facing feeding and nutrition challenges.

A photo of a binder containing SPOON's Nourished and Thriving Toolkit

For Trainers

Child welfare professionals, service providers, and trainers can access the Nourished and Thriving Children Toolkit and use the resources to train others in their organization or community through our online “training of trainers” program. Complete the online Facilitators Training to gain access to the Toolkit and begin applying these trauma-informed approaches in your work today. If you have already completed the course and used the Toolkit, we would be very grateful for your feedback!

Explore the course.

For Parents and Caregivers

Caregivers of children who have experienced trauma may strengthen their skills to support healthy growth and positive mealtime experiences  through an online course based on 8 of the topics from the Toolkit co-developed by Oregon State University-Extension Service and SPOON.

Explore the course.

What Topics are Covered?

The Toolkit covers a range of subjects related to trauma-informed nutrition and the importance of mealtime and challenges that can arise. Training materials are available in both English and Spanish.

Feeding Topics

  • Nourished and Thriving Children: An Overview
  • Mealtime Overview: Why Mealtime Matters and Common Challenges
  • Developmental Feeding Milestones
  • Responsive Feeding
  • Establishing Connection and Mealtime Routines
  • Division of Responsibility
  • Picky Eating
  • Food Preoccupation and Hoarding
  • Feeding Challenges: Aversion
  • Requiring Distractions to Eat
  • Safe Pacing
  • When to Seek Help

Nutrition Topics

  • Overview of Nutrition for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma
  • General Dietary Guidelines
  • Making the Most of Snacks
  • Learning to Love Vegetables
  • Cooking with Children
  • Eating Healthy on a Budget
  • Understanding Weight Dysregulation
  • Overweight and Obesity
  • Poor Weight Gain
  • Constipation
  • Iron Deficiency Anemia
  • Food Allergies