Kitten in pancake syrup

that's what I just witnessed. As he jumped onto the table, right into a plate of leftover pancake syrup one of the kids left behind, (instead of placing in the sink)... He's going to town, licking his paws! I don't think he liked the feeling. That will teach him to jump up on the table! That gives me an idea...
if I place the plate on the kids seat, do you think they will learn to clear their spot at the table when they're done eating, after sitting down on the sticky plate?
Somehow I don't think they will learn from that, nor do I feel the cat will stay off the table. Just the same, its a thought I'll consider.