Who Are You Training?
Select your audience to see relevant training materials:
Program Staff
Professional staff: nutritionists, program officers, data collectors
Community Workers
Volunteers, CHWs, peer educators, community mobilizers
Supervisors
Field supervisors, team leaders, coordinators
Master Trainers
Training of trainers (ToT), building training capacity
🎯 Principles of Effective Nutrition Training
Good training changes behavior, not just knowledge. Follow these principles to ensure your training translates into improved program quality:
Hands-On Practice
60%+ of training should be practice: measuring MUAC, weighing children, filling forms,
counseling scenarios. Lectures don't build skills.
Frequent Refreshers
One-time training isn't enough. Monthly refreshers, on-site coaching, and peer learning
maintain quality over time.
Competency-Based
Test skills, not memory. Can they actually measure a child correctly? Can they counsel
a mother effectively? Demonstrate, don't just recite.
Local Language
Train in the language trainees will use with beneficiaries. Technical English is useless
if they need to explain in Swahili, Hausa, or Pashto.
Realistic Duration
3-5 days for technical staff, 2-3 days for community workers. One-day "trainings"
are orientations, not skill-building.
Job Aids Provided
Give trainees tools they can use in the field: laminated guides, reference cards,
counseling cards. Memory fades, tools remain.
📚 Training Curricula
These curricula are adapted from WHO, UNICEF, and field-tested programs. Download and adapt for your context.
CMAM Technical Training
Comprehensive training on community-based management of acute malnutrition. For health
workers and nutritionists implementing SAM/MAM treatment programs.
Modules Covered:
- Acute malnutrition assessment (MUAC, WHZ, oedema)
- Appetite test and admission criteria
- RUTF dosage and distribution
- Monitoring weight gain and progress
- Complications and referral criteria
- Defaulter tracing and follow-up
- Data recording and reporting
Community Health Worker Training
Essential nutrition skills for community volunteers and CHWs. Focus on screening,
referral, and basic nutrition counseling.
Modules Covered:
- MUAC screening technique
- Identifying danger signs
- Referral procedures
- IYCF key messages
- Home visits and counseling basics
- Community mobilization
- Simple record keeping
IYCF Counseling Skills
Infant and young child feeding counseling using WHO methodology. Build skills in
listening, learning difficulties, building confidence, and supporting practices.
Modules Covered:
- Counseling skills (listening, building confidence)
- Exclusive breastfeeding promotion
- Complementary feeding guidance
- Feeding sick children
- Dietary diversity assessment
- Responsive feeding practices
- Using counseling cards effectively
Supportive Supervision
Training supervisors to provide supportive (not punitive) supervision. Focus on
mentoring, problem-solving, and quality improvement.
Modules Covered:
- Principles of supportive supervision
- Observation and feedback techniques
- Data review and interpretation
- Problem-solving with teams
- On-site coaching and mentoring
- Quality assurance checklists
- Supervision planning and reporting
Nutrition M&E Essentials
Training M&E officers and data staff on nutrition indicators, anthropometry, data
quality, and analysis basics.
Modules Covered:
- Key nutrition indicators (HAZ, WHZ, MUAC)
- Anthropometric measurement standardization
- Data quality assurance
- Database management basics
- Data analysis and visualization
- Reporting and interpretation
- Using data for program improvement
Training of Trainers (ToT)
Building master trainers who can deliver quality training to others. Focus on adult
learning principles, training delivery, and training management.
Modules Covered:
- Adult learning principles
- Training session planning
- Facilitation techniques
- Practical demonstration skills
- Competency assessment methods
- Managing training logistics
- Post-training follow-up and support
📋 Assessment & Certification Tools
Use these tools to assess trainee competency and certify skills. Competency-based assessment ensures quality practice.
MUAC Measurement Competency Test
Practical assessment: trainee measures 5 children, results compared to standardized
measurements. Pass: 4/5 within 2mm accuracy.
Download Assessment Form →
Counseling Skills Checklist
Observation checklist for IYCF counseling: uses open questions, listens actively,
builds confidence, provides 1-2 recommendations. Role-play assessment.
Download Checklist →
Data Recording Accuracy Test
Trainee records information from 3 mock cases. Assessed on completeness, accuracy,
and legibility. Pass: 90% accuracy on all required fields.
Download Test Cases →
Knowledge Assessment (Written)
Multiple choice and short answer questions covering key technical content. Use as
pre/post test to measure knowledge gain. 20-30 questions.
Download Question Bank →
🎓 Training Delivery Best Practices
✅ Before Training Starts
- Pre-test trainees: Understand baseline knowledge to adjust training level
- Prepare materials in advance: Print handouts, prepare equipment, test projectors
- Arrange practice materials: MUAC tapes, scales, height boards, RUTF packets for demonstration
- Identify practice sites: Where will trainees practice with real children?
- Brief trainees on expectations: Share agenda, learning objectives, assessment methods
📖 During Training
- 60/40 rule: 60% practice, 40% instruction. More doing, less lecturing
- Demonstrate first: Show how to do it correctly before asking trainees to practice
- Practice in pairs: One trainee practices while another observes and provides feedback
- Repeat until competent: Don't move on until everyone can perform the skill correctly
- Use real scenarios: Practice counseling with real cases, not abstract examples
- Correct mistakes immediately: Don't let incorrect techniques become habits
🔄 After Training
- Post-test to measure learning: Compare pre/post test results to assess improvement
- Certify competent trainees only: Don't certify everyone just because they attended
- Plan follow-up support: Schedule on-site coaching visits within 2-4 weeks
- Provide job aids: Give trainees laminated guides and reference materials
- Schedule refresher training: Plan monthly or quarterly refreshers to maintain quality
📚 Additional Training Resources
External Training Materials
These organizations provide high-quality, free nutrition training resources:
- WHO/UNICEF CMAM Training Materials: Comprehensive curriculum for community-based management of acute malnutrition
- IYCF Counseling Course: WHO/UNICEF infant and young child feeding counseling training package
- Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN): Technical briefs and training guides for emergency nutrition
- FANTA (Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance): Nutrition assessment and counseling tools
- Global Nutrition Cluster: Standardized training packages for humanitarian contexts
Job Aids & Reference Materials
Downloadable job aids to give trainees for field reference:
- MUAC tape interpretation guide (color-coded)
- RUTF dosage chart by weight
- IYCF key messages (laminated cards)
- Referral criteria checklist
- Counseling cards with local images
- Data recording quick reference