StayPut Mat: Non-slip Drawing Mat for Children
08.25.2016
Tools to Grow is pleased to present a guest blog by Courtney Luper, a resourceful mother that designed a product that we are sure will be of interest to Occupational Therapists.
This mom invented the Stay Put Mat for use with her own children, but soon learned the mat had beneficial features for the following:
- Toddlers learning to write, draw, paint, or color
- Anyone with medical limitations
- Occupational Therapy writing aid
As Occupational Therapists, when we had the opportunity to use the Stay Put Mat we noted the following potential benefits:
- This device would be very useful for children with hemiplegia
- The writing surface that the mat provides gives useful sensory feedback
- The mat can be placed on an angled surface (such as a notebook binder) to create an affordable slant board
- The mat can be adhered (velcro) to the wall to create a horizontal writing surface
Here is Courtney’s story:
I am a mom of 2 awesome boys, 2 and 4 years old. They love to stay busy and be creative. Our days are often filled with repeat sessions of coloring and painting. During each session, I would tape (and re-tape) the paper to the table to keep it from sliding around. When it slid around, it not only frustrated my young kiddos, it also would knock paints and crayons off the table.
I thought to myself..."I wish I had a non-slip mat that I could simply insert a handful of paper in for the kids to draw on."
I immediately went to Amazon to buy one and found that no such thing exists. After searching a bit more, with no luck, I decided I was going to make one myself!
So I did! ...The StayPut Mat.
As I introduced the StayPut Mat to more people, I found there were many more uses other than my at-home application:
- Preschools loved it for the ease of use and efficiency of time, stacking multiple papers in the mat for all day use.
- Occupational therapists loved it for a stepping stone in a child's writing & drawing development.
- Skilled Nursing Facilities loved it to help give their patients independence again with loss of limb function.
- New Moms loved it when they spend most their day holding a baby, yet still need to write a grocery list or "honey-do list."
It brings me joy to see so many great uses. It also brings me joy to see my young kids draw me creative pictures with the help of the StayPut Mat.
I'd love to see any of the creative uses or masterpieces you or your kiddos come up with! Please share.
Proud Mom and proud inventor,
Courtney Luper
Webiste: www.stayputmat.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stayputmat
Contact for more Information: [email protected]
Related Topics: Early Intervention , General, School Based OT
