Play Before Pencil with Sola Zaccheus: Building Strong Foundations in Early Childhood

What if the key to helping children learn to write, count, and grow wasn’t more pressure but more play? In this episode of Adventures in Learning, Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor welcomes developmental therapist and early childhood advocate Sola Zaccheus for a rich conversation about fine motor development, developmentally appropriate practice, and the power of purposeful play.

Sola shares her path from aspiring lawyer to educator and therapist, and how that journey led her to create Knots and Knuckles, a framework focused on strengthening the whole body before expecting children to master small motor tasks like writing, tracing, or holding a pencil correctly. Together, Diane and Sola unpack why play is not a break from learning; it is learning; and how teachers can embed literacy, math, language, and problem solving into meaningful hands on experiences.

This conversation is especially powerful for early childhood educators, instructional coaches, therapists, and families who want practical strategies for supporting children in ways that are joyful, developmentally sound, and responsive to the child in front of them. From modeling in the classroom to building independence through everyday routines, this episode offers both encouragement and concrete ideas you can use right away.

Chapters

01:16 From aspiring lawyer to early childhood educator

06:12 Why play belongs at the center of learning

10:59 Modeling, engagement, and what children need from adults

12:20 Behavior, support needs, and classroom environments

18:08 Fine motor development and Knots and Knuckles

23:13 Montessori, independence, and everyday routines

25:08 Language, narration, and the power of conversation

29:08 Why adults need play too

31:00 How to connect with Sola

32:02 What brings hope

Key moments

• Children need time, repetition, and practice before mastering complex skills.
• Play supports critical thinking, peer interaction, creativity, and regulation.
• Teachers do not have to abandon curriculum; they can weave it into play.
• Simple shifts in language and environment can make a big difference.
• Growth happens when we meet children where they are and build from there.

About the guest

Sola Zaccheus is a developmental therapist, early childhood specialist, and founder of The Golden Nugget LLC and Knots and Knuckles. She supports educators, programs, and families with developmentally appropriate strategies that strengthen fine motor skills, language development, independence, and whole child learning.

Connect with Sola

• Website
• Instagram: @thegoldennuggetllc
• Email: thegoldennuget2024@gmail.com
• LinkedIn @SolaZaccheus

Stay connected

• Learn more about Dr. Diane’s speaking and professional development: drdianadventures.com
• Subscribe to Adventures in Learning on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Buzzsprout, and wherever you listen