At the intersection of interpersonal neurogastronomy and child development is an insightful truth: none of us were born understanding hunger.

That’s not to say we weren’t born hungry or for the capacity to be hungry; hunger is more than simply the discomfort it causes us. In order for hunger to do its job, understanding must be developed — a set of neurological connections formed in relationship that allow us to recognize hunger for what it is and be able to discern how to satisfy it.

This perspective holds powerful lessons for those of us who are trying to help kids from hard places to contextualize the discomforts they are feeling in their bodies — whether by the hunger for food or by the Hunger for Connection.