I wouldn't have thought it would teach them to chew, suck maybe, but not chew. I have one for Emily, and I put ice in it and let her suck on the ice. It's so hot here ATM.

If you're worried about the chewing/learning to eat off a spoon, when he starts solids, cook up some vegetable sticks or bread, or a piece of fruit, and let him feed himself with those.