The Aostach

The Aostach is a framework and plan for validating and testing that a child is ready for the world. The name comes from old Celtic and basically means ascending to maturity or adulthood. This is a program that we developed to help prepare our children for the world and to give them a clear point where they are recognized as mature. It gives them a definitive step to take in life's progression - something that is missing in many homes today (especially non-religious homes).


Aostach Topics and Sub-topics

This is just our version of what an individual should know (apart from what they learn in school) before we say they are ready for the world. Of course, these are heavily influenced by our world view, both socially and philosophically - modify them in any way you see fit.

You may also notice that there is very little difference in this list between boys and girls; that is intentional, but may not fit with your views. Finally, the culmination of this is a test they have to pass. For us, this is staying on our property (40 acres in the Colorado Mountains) alone for one day and night. This isn't easy for many modern children and in fact frightened our children severely. It was also part of the reason we delayed "graduation" until they were at least 15. You may need to pick some other test, but make it achievable and difficult.

  1. Domestic Skills
    1. Plan, shop for, cook and clean up one complete meal.
    2. Plan a week's balanced menu; explain the nutritional elements and why they are important.
    3. Demonstrate basic nutritional knowledge, food groups, vitamins, etc.
    4. Sew on a button, do a basic clothing mend like hem.
    5. Laundry care (how to's, stains, ironing, etc.)
    6. Handling spills and stains
    7. Explain basic pet care.
    8. Choose, buy, and wrap gifts.
    9. Explain and demonstrate basic gardening/lawn maintenance.
    10. Explain about basic home maintenance, why it's important, what is required.
    11. Perform basic shop skills (use of tools).
  2. Financial
    1. Make a budget, explain the elements of it, the importance of saving, keeping track of spending, etc
    2. Balance a check book.
    3. Understand the basics of taxation, social security, where taxes go, and why your check is smaller than planned
    4. Understand bargain shopping
    5. What is insurance, how is it used, who needs it, what kind, how much and why?
    6. Living within your means while planning for the future and enjoying the present
    7. Credit, both good and bad, how to manage/use it wisely
  3. Safety & Survival
    1. Perform CPR and basic first aid
    2. Demonstrate emergency skills: Fire, water, and defensive/evasive actions.
    3. Response to serious threats and injuries (snake bite, mountain lion, severe cut, cut off finger, etc.).
    4. Demonstrate a range of safety and preparatory skills such as putting tools out of range, locking doors, no water on floor, electricity issues, potential fires, owning a spare tire, flashlights, first aid kit, gas can etc.
    5. Research & demonstrate basic wilderness survival skills. (what you would do if you got lost while hiking, or your car ran off the road)
    6. Understand safety in inner cities
    7. Basic knowledge of firearms and weaponry
    8. Demonstrate basic self defense
  4. Health & Fitness
    1. Explain why basic hygiene is necessary and consistently demonstrate the use of it.
    2. Write an essay explaining what steps create good health, what you can do to maintain it, and what would eventually happen if you don't. Explain habits that damage good health.
    3. Understand clearly and talk about the detriments of alcohol, illegal drugs, and cigarettes
    4. Demonstrate basic physical fitness, (sit-ups, pushups, walk a mile, etc.).
    5. Demonstrate understanding of common medicines, their uses and side affects.
    6. Girls: understand menstrual cycle and care
    7. Basic hygiene
  5. Knowledge, Common and Practical
    1. Give a basic explanation of U.S. government and our country
    2. Demonstrate ability to find information of a practical nature, such as locate a lawyer, and using the yellow pages, dictionary, thesaurus, research info, medical stuff, etc.
    3. Memorize social security number, understand what it is and the dangers of identity theft.
    4. Finding data skills (library, Internet, calling people).
    5. Understand worldwide common religions.
    6. Understand racial tensions in America.
    7. Write a proper letter, postage, mailing, etc.
    8. Computer skills
    9. Type at least 35 wpm without errors
    10. Boys: Be able to tie a tie
    11. Basic automotive care
  6. Ethics, Social Graces & Responsibilities
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of right & wrong (morality & ethics).
    2. Social Graces & Responsibilities: Demonstrate knowledge and practice of traits like: honesty, integrity, timeliness, thanking people, being a good houseguest, paying what you owe, not borrowing or asking for favors unless you really need it, good manners, etc.
    3. Demonstrate basic etiquette on a formal occasion.
  7. Other
    1. Demonstrate leadership skills: You will be given a project and a team, instructed on how to manage them skillfully, and asked to complete the project properly and on time, without angering or unduly upsetting the team members.
    2. Understand meaning and worth of independence, being alone, "doing it yourself".
    3. Understand the psychological pitfalls we all face at certain times, such as depression, grief, discouragement, laziness, temptation, etc, and what you can and should do about it when it happens
    4. Understand sexuality, its ramifications, how to protect yourself and your partner, birth control choices, and being fully responsible for your actions at all times. Fully understand the results possible if you don't.

Menu


Humanist Quote


Google