What Is Energy and How to Use It Effectively for Kindergarten

As children, kindergarten students are naturally physically active and curious. During this stage, they often engage in active plays that involve running, jumping, and exploring their environment. They generally have high energy, even higher than endurance athletes, and a need for movement. This gift helps them recover quickly from high-intensity activities and take on more demanding tasks.

However, even with high energy levels, kindergarten students still need to value their physical drive and learn how to be smart in managing it. Doing so can prevent their fuel from running out at the most critical time and boost their productivity. To help them better understand what this means, this social-emotional learning lesson uses an engaging audio story to illustrate what happens when physical energy is used inefficiently.

In the story "Leonard Lion Gets to Work," the protagonist wastes his energy by skipping breakfast, not having adequate rest, and prioritizing less important tasks before the important ones. As a result, Leonard Lion becomes distracted by his hunger and exhaustion and slows down his friends who are working hard on building their boat. Leonard Lion feels embarrassed when his friends take notice of his poor performance. In the end, he realizes what he has done and recognizes that he is having an energy crisis.

The beauty of this story is it underlines the fact that different tasks require differing levels of energy. Therefore, conserving power for activities that do not require much is an intelligent use of energy. For example, Leonard Lion could have used less stamina while playing in the stream. Instead of jumping and running, he could have saved up some fuel for his more important tasks, such as building a boat with his friends.

The main point of the lesson and the story is this: when energy levels are high, individuals are better equipped to concentrate, think critically, and problem-solve effectively. On the contrary, when energy levels are depleted, tasks become more challenging, and productivity suffers. This is why it is vital for anyone, even kindergarten students with abundant fuel, to manage their energy wisely.

Managing energy is another self-management skill essential for boosting productivity, strengthening the body, and enhancing intellectual performance. By reserving power, kindergartners can accomplish more tasks and make way for activities that bring them joy. Reserving their energy also means reserving their physical strength, allowing them to perform better in their physical activities. Furthermore, allowing their energy to build up through rest enhances concentration and boosts intellectual strength. Consequently, they feel better about themselves, resulting in a positive self-concept.

With this SEL lesson, schools and educators can encourage young learners to use their energy in studying, exercising, and socializing. In doing so, they can increase their students' academic performance, set the foundation for a healthy and balanced lifestyle, and help them cultivate strong interpersonal skills.