Teaching little barbarians the art and skill of civilized eating is a tiring, messy and sometimes dangerous process - a skill so hard to grasp that it may take years and in some known cases, decades to perfect. Luckily, the folks at SkipHop have just released "Mate", a stay-put mat & plate system that brings civility and perhaps a bit of safety to family mealtime with a toddler.
The SkipHop Mate is a fork, spoon and plate that attach to a skid resistant rubber place mat. Mate is painfully adorable and thoughtfully designed by top designer Scott Henderson, a classmate and friend of mine from Philadelphia's UArts '88.
I put SkipHop's Mate to the test with my two year old Zane, a novice eater that currently enjoys throwing food and plates. First off - the large rubber place mat with the hidden smiley face really is skid-resistant – no flying plates! Secondly, the interior food plate is manufactured out of polypropylene, a food safe material and is divided into 3 sections so fussy eaters won't freak if their peas touch their cheese chunks. Lastly - Zane's favorite feature - the little fork & spoon each have their own docking stations! While using the Mate at mealtime Zane used his utensils, sat still longer, ate more food and minimized the need for air traffic control. Little barbarians - your days are numbered.
