Curriculum Development Intern: Child and Adolescent ProgramsAt — Homeless Intervention Services of Orange County (HIS OC)

The Curriculum Development Intern: Child and Adolescent Programs will support the creation of engaging, evidence-based workshop curricula designed to promote the development and learning of children and adolescents. Interns will conduct research, design activities, and collaborate with mentors to create impactful educational content. This hands-on internship provides opportunities to apply developmental theories, develop professional skills, and contribute to meaningful programming that supports young learners' growth.

Here’s a sample description of tasks for your intern:

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**Internship Role: Curriculum Development Intern**
**Focus Area: Children’s Development and Learning Workshops**

**Overview:**
As a Curriculum Development Intern specializing in children and adolescents, you will gain hands-on experience designing educational and developmental workshops tailored to the unique needs of young learners. This role will provide opportunities to apply your academic knowledge, collaborate with professionals, and enhance your skills in curriculum planning and implementation.

Key Responsibilities:
1. Research and Content Development:
- Conduct research on age-appropriate developmental theories, learning strategies, and best practices.
- Gather resources on key topics, such as emotional regulation, social skills, cognitive development, and creative learning.

2. Curriculum Design:
- Assist in creating engaging, evidence-based workshop curriculums for children across different age groups.
- Incorporate interactive and hands-on activities, ensuring content is inclusive and developmentally appropriate.
- Develop clear learning objectives and measurable outcomes for each workshop.

3. Material Preparation:
- Design workshop materials, such as worksheets, visual aids, and activities, tailored to children’s learning styles.
- Test and refine content to ensure clarity and effectiveness.

4. Collaboration and Feedback:
- Work closely with staff and mentors to align curriculum goals with program objectives.
- Participate in brainstorming sessions to develop creative and impactful workshop ideas.
- Collect and integrate feedback from supervisors and stakeholders.

5. Workshop Facilitation Support:
- Assist in the delivery of workshops as needed, gaining experience in classroom or group facilitation.
- Observe child engagement and provide recommendations for enhancing the curriculum.

6. Evaluation and Improvement:
- Help design evaluation tools (e.g., surveys or observational checklists) to assess workshop effectiveness.
- Analyze data and feedback to suggest curriculum modifications and improvements.

Learning Opportunities:
- Develop skills in curriculum planning and instructional design for children and adolescents.
- Gain experience in applying developmental theories to real-world educational programming.
- Build an understanding of effective workshop facilitation and program evaluation.
- Enhance collaborative and creative problem-solving skills.

This internship offers a supportive environment where you will learn by doing and contribute to meaningful programming for children’s growth and success.

Training:

Students participating in the Curriculum Development Internship will receive comprehensive training to support their learning and professional growth. The internship begins with a mandatory orientation, introducing students to the organization’s mission, policies, and team structure. They will also participate in weekly one-on-one mentor meetings to set goals, receive feedback, and reflect on their progress. These sessions ensure that interns are supported throughout their placement and have clear guidance on their tasks and expectations.

Training will emphasize hands-on learning, including job shadowing opportunities and workshops focused on curriculum development frameworks, child development theories, and instructional design. Interns will review work samples, utilize templates, and engage in practical exercises to design engaging, age-appropriate content for children. They will also receive guidance on task contextualization, evaluation tool creation, and adapting curricula based on diverse learner needs.

To enhance their skills further, interns will engage in literature reviews, discussions on best practices, and professional development activities. By testing and implementing their curriculum designs in real-time settings, they will gain practical insights into workshop facilitation and program effectiveness. This well-rounded training approach ensures interns are prepared to create impactful learning experiences for children while building transferable skills for their future careers.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Develop Evidence-Based Curricula:
By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to design and develop engaging, evidence-based workshop curricula tailored to the developmental needs of children and adolescents, incorporating learning objectives and measurable outcomes.

2. Apply Developmental Theories to Practice:
By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to integrate child and adolescent development theories into the planning and creation of educational activities, ensuring the content is age-appropriate and impactful.

3. Utilize Evaluation Tools for Program Effectiveness:
By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to create and implement evaluation tools, such as surveys or checklists, to assess the effectiveness of workshops and suggest data-driven improvements.

4. Enhance Professional Collaboration Skills:
By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to work effectively within a team setting, including participating in brainstorming sessions, incorporating mentor feedback, and presenting workshop ideas clearly and professionally.

5. Demonstrate Workshop Facilitation Skills:
By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to assist in facilitating workshops for children, demonstrating an ability to adapt content to diverse learning styles and actively engage participants.