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.

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• S = Sugar\n
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  • Sx = Time to next sugar intake: Time in minutes until next known sugar serving.
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  • Sn = Amount of Sugar: How much sugar was consumed.
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  • St = Time since last sugar intake: Time in minutes since the last sugar serving.
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• L = Light\n
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  • Lo = Light outside: How bright it is outside
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  • Li = Light inside: How bright it is inside
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  • L∆ = Delta Light: Difference between outside and inside light levels
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• I = Inactivity\n
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  • Ix = Time to next rest: Time in minutes until next known rest break.
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  • In = Rest time: Time in minutes of quiet/rest.
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  • It = Time since last rest: Time in minutes since the last break.
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• C = Temperature\n
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  • Cb = Temperature below zero: absolute value of the temperature in Celcius
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  • Ca = Temperature above 15: absolute value of the temperature in Celcius
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  • C∆ = Delta Temperature: Difference between inside and outside temperature
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• K = Other Kids\n
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  • Kn = Number of other kids: Number of other kids in sight and/or hearing
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  • Kd = Distance from other kids: Number of other kids in sight and/or hearing
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  • Kv = Volume of other kids
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  • Ka = Age of kids: Average age of kids present
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• F = Food\n
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  • Fx = Time to next meal: Time in minutes until next known meal.
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  • Fn = Meal: Size of meal.
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  • Ft = Time since last meal: Time in minutes since the last meal.
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• E = Environment\n
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  • Ev = Volume of environment
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  • Em = Environment: 1-10 amount of misc. distractions
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  • Ea = Amusement: How new/engrossing something is (chaotic unpredictable variable)
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  • Et = Time since last change: Time in minutes since the last large environmental change.
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• W = Water\n
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  • Wt = Time since last drink of water
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  • Wd = Distance to water
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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\n"; echo "
    - This is to be expected, if not the relative scales involved.\n"; echo "
Longer time since sugar = less energy\n"; echo "
    - This is also expected, but is not nessessarily a linear equation, possibly sinusoidal.\n"; echo "
More energy as a next sugar is expected\n"; echo "
    - Once again, this is not expected, but energy levels clearly peak just before consumption.\n"; echo "
    - Again, ignorance of approaching refuelings negates this phenomenon.\n"; echo "

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\n"; echo "
    - 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).\n"; echo "
Bright light outside = more energy\n"; echo "
More light outside than inside = more energy\n"; echo "

L = L∆ + Lo + Li

3. Inactivity

Children posses some very unique characteristics when it comes to inactivity/rest vs time.

More rest = more energy\n"; echo "
    - This is to be expected and is not of much concern.\n"; echo "
Longer time since rest = less energy\n"; echo "
    - This is also expected.\n"; echo "
More energy as a rest period approaches\n"; echo "
    - This is not expected, one would expect a continuation of the trend stated above.\n"; echo "
   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)\n"; echo "
    - Also of note is how ignorance of approaching recharge periods negates this phenomenon.\n"; echo "

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\n"; echo "
Temperature below 0C = more energy\n"; echo "
    - There seems to be no lower limit, possibly due to being kept inside as the temperature keeps dropping.\n"; echo "
Greater difference between inside and outside temperatures = more engery\n"; echo "
    - This is a situational effect and only seems to work if the children are inside.\n"; echo "

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\n"; echo "
    - This could be considered unusual except that it is a well know anecdotal fact by almost every adult.\n"; echo "
More noise = more energy\n"; echo "
    - Children convert noise and other sounds into useable enrgy seemlessly.\n"; echo "
Close proximity of other children = more energy\n"; echo "
    - This may not in fact be more energy so much as a more effecient transfer between children.\n"; echo "
Average age of children is close to 8 = more energy\n"; echo "
    - This is the most complicated effect. The average age of children placed on a bell curve with a mean value of 8.\n"; echo "
    - Under 8 starts tapering off, we believe it is due to a smaller generator mass and therefore overall lower maximum output.\n"; echo "
    - 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.\n"; echo "

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\n"; echo "
Longer time since food = less energy\n"; echo "
More energy as a next meal is expected\n"; echo "
    - Once again, this is not expected, but energy levels clearly peak just before consumption.\n"; echo "
    - As usual, ignorance of approaching refuelings negates this phenomenon.\n"; echo "

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\n"; echo "
Newer = more energy\n"; echo "
    - Brand new object and distractions always create more energy, at least for a while.\n"; echo "
more time since last variable change = less energy\n"; echo "
    - Change increases energy, lack of it will cause entrophy.\n"; echo "
Other un-mentioned, un-forseen, or completely random affects\n"; echo "
    - The un-quantifiable factors, one-offs, and intangables like blue moons, fire drills, or squirrels.\n"; echo "

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\n"; echo "
    - Maximum energy peaks with total immersion.\n"; echo "
    - The size of body does not matter, lakes and puddles elicit similar levels.\n"; echo "
    - Rain or snow seems to have the same effect as water bodies.\n"; echo "
Longer time since water = less energy\n"; echo "
    - A lack of water creates a false seeming of energy. In reality it's just grouchiness.\n"; echo "

W = Wd / Wt