POST FALLS — Greensferry Elementary School kindergartner Jace Nordstrom's fifth birthday wish was "to be in charge."

“He had a police suit and he put it on, and he had handcuffs and literally took his little brother through the store with his hands behind his back,” said Jace's mom, Shania Nordstrom. "He was in the whole role of it. It was so cute.”

Jace grinned from ear to ear during his school's recent Tech Timeout Night, during which he made friends with Post Falls Police Officer Mike Allen, who helped the youngster try on tactical gear.

"It's good," Jace said, eager to unwrap a lollipop.

Greensferry Elementary has hosted Tech Timeout Night for nine years, each year expanding ways to engage families in quality, screen-free activities.

“We just want to see families interacting," said Assistant Principal Courtney Beach, who also coordinates the event. "We want to interact with families and the best way to do it is without the technology."

The evening included archery in the gym with Post Falls Parks and Recreation, a family photo booth with a Greensferry Elementary Mustangs theme, kid-friendly financial activities provided by Idaho Central Credit Union, and guest appearances by Girl Scouts, the Panhandle Farm Corridor and the Post Falls Library.

New this year was a live reptile demonstration by Dr. Dave's Reptile Safaris and the premier appearance of Murphy the Mini Mustang, both of which were quite popular with students and parents alike.

“I’m kind of confused because we’ve never done this,” fourth grader Caroline Roberts said after a visit with Murphy.

She said an event like the Tech Timeout was good because "a lot of people are on their phones." Her mom, Stephanie Roberts, agreed.

"Yes, I'm always on my phone, especially for work, so my kids remind me to leave it in the car," Roberts said. "It’s nice to remind everybody to get off their screens for a little bit and enjoy each other and be social again.”

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, children age 8-18 in the United States spend 7 1/2 hours a day watching or using screens, including smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, TVs and computers. 

And according to Psychology Today, research indicates that high levels of screen time are associated with a variety of social and emotional problems in children and adolescents.

Beach and Greensferry Principal Kathy Baker discussed the importance of setting down the devices and interacting human to human, a message in which the Greensferry team wholeheartedly believes. 

“The research that’s continuing to come out on what excessive, passive screen time is doing to our children’s brains is not positive,” Baker said. “We are seeing parents more actively protecting their children from the dangers of unfiltered internet and too many hours of screen time."

Tech Timeout is growing in popularity, with about 300 people attending.

“We love the opportunity to be partnered with our community,” Beach said.

    Post Falls Police Officer Mike Allen helps Greensferry Elementary School kindergartner Jace Nordstrom try on a police helmet on Thursday, Feb. 5, during Tech Timeout Night.
  

    Fourth grader Caroline Roberts pets Murphy the Mini Mustang on Thursday, Feb. 5, during Greensferry Elementary's Tech Timeout Night, an annual event that invites families to enjoy an evening of activities and quality time without cell phones or devices getting in the way.