This is a list of the factors (in my experience) of what winds kids up, or calms them down. Enjoy!
The Equation
Ep = SLICKFEW
Variables
These are the main variables affecting a childs energy level. As you can see, they are quite complex with many interacting variables.
- S = Sugar
- Sx = Time to next sugar intake: Time in minutes until next known sugar serving.
- Sn = Amount of Sugar: How much sugar was consumed.
- St = Time since last sugar intake: Time in minutes since the last sugar serving.
- L = Light
- Lo = Light outside: How bright it is outside
- Li = Light inside: How bright it is inside
- L∆ = Delta Light: Difference between outside and inside light levels
- I = Inactivity
- Ix = Time to next rest: Time in minutes until next known rest break.
- In = Rest time: Time in minutes of quiet/rest.
- It = Time since last rest: Time in minutes since the last break.
- C = Temperature
- Cb = Temperature below zero: absolute value of the temperature in Celcius
- Ca = Temperature above 15: absolute value of the temperature in Celcius
- C∆ = Delta Temperature: Difference between inside and outside temperature
- K = Other Kids
- Kn = Number of other kids: Number of other kids in sight and/or hearing
- Kd = Distance from other kids: Number of other kids in sight and/or hearing
- Kv = Volume of other kids
- Ka = Age of kids: Average age of kids present
- F = Food
- Fx = Time to next meal: Time in minutes until next known meal.
- Fn = Meal: Size of meal.
- Ft = Time since last meal: Time in minutes since the last meal.
- E = Environment
- Ev = Volume of environment
- Em = Environment: 1-10 amount of misc. distractions
- Ea = Amusement: How new/engrossing something is (chaotic unpredictable variable)
- Et = Time since last change: Time in minutes since the last large environmental change.
- W = Water
- Wt = Time since last drink of water
- Wd = Distance to water
1. Sugar
Sugars in all forms (glucose, fructose, etc) have an unproportionally large effect on children, well in excess of what is expected.
More sugar = more energy
- This is to be expected, if not the relative scales involved.
Longer time since sugar = less energy
- This is also expected, but is not nessessarily a linear equation, possibly sinusoidal.
More energy as a next sugar is expected
- Once again, this is not expected, but energy levels clearly peak just before consumption.
- Again, ignorance of approaching refuelings negates this phenomenon.
S = Sn / ( St + Sx )
2. Light
On top of producing and using energy from fuels, sound, and radiated waste energy, children are able to convert light into energy.
More light = more energy
- There is a recorded anomally when an instant lack of all light causes a large brief temporary spike in energy levels. This may just be a side effect of Et (time since last environmental change).
Bright light outside = more energy
More light outside than inside = more energy
L = L∆ + Lo + Li
3. Inactivity
Children posses some very unique characteristics when it comes to inactivity/rest vs time.
More rest = more energy
- This is to be expected and is not of much concern.
Longer time since rest = less energy
- This is also expected.
More energy as a rest period approaches
- This is not expected, one would expect a continuation of the trend stated above.
Observations of this unique phenomenon also seems to indicate a violation of the second law of thermo dynamics (energy can not be created or destroyed)
- Also of note is how ignorance of approaching recharge periods negates this phenomenon.
I = In / ( It + Ix )
4. Temperature
Temperature has an unusual effect in that the zero to 15 degree area actually depresses engery levels causeing a double curve in results.
Temperature above 15C = more energy
Temperature below 0C = more energy
- There seems to be no lower limit, possibly due to being kept inside as the temperature keeps dropping.
Greater difference between inside and outside temperatures = more engery
- This is a situational effect and only seems to work if the children are inside.
C = ( |Cb| + Ca ) * C∆
5. Other Children
Children are remarkable in the fact that they can operate on the waste energy radiating from other children.
More children = more energy
- This could be considered unusual except that it is a well know anecdotal fact by almost every adult.
More noise = more energy
- Children convert noise and other sounds into useable enrgy seemlessly.
Close proximity of other children = more energy
- This may not in fact be more energy so much as a more effecient transfer between children.
Average age of children is close to 8 = more energy
- This is the most complicated effect. The average age of children placed on a bell curve with a mean value of 8.
- Under 8 starts tapering off, we believe it is due to a smaller generator mass and therefore overall lower maximum output.
- Over 8 also starts tapering off, we believe it is due to a the inertia of a larger generating mass. The endurance of older children is much greater however, again suspected to be linked with the inertia of the system.
K = Ka * ( Kn + Kv ) / Kd
6. Food
Much like sugar, but with a lesser maximum peak balanced by a longer period of effect.
More food = more energy
Longer time since food = less energy
More energy as a next meal is expected
- Once again, this is not expected, but energy levels clearly peak just before consumption.
- As usual, ignorance of approaching refuelings negates this phenomenon.
F = Fn / ( Ft + Fx )
7. Environment
Environmental effects are very hard to qualify and are a lot more random in occurance.
More noise = more energy
Newer = more energy
- Brand new object and distractions always create more energy, at least for a while.
more time since last variable change = less energy
- Change increases energy, lack of it will cause entrophy.
Other un-mentioned, un-forseen, or completely random affects
- The un-quantifiable factors, one-offs, and intangables like blue moons, fire drills, or squirrels.
E = ( Ev / ( Ea + Et) ) + Em
8. Water
Water in small amounts merely sustaines energy, while in excess quantities it becomes a catalyst for explosive amounts of energy.
Less distance to water = more energy
- Maximum energy peaks with total immersion.
- The size of body does not matter, lakes and puddles elicit similar levels.
- Rain or snow seems to have the same effect as water bodies.
Longer time since water = less energy
- A lack of water creates a false seeming of energy. In reality it's just grouchiness.