Well hello...

My name is Ashley Manning.

I am very happily married to Richard Manning. He is more than I could ever ask for in a husband. We have a beautiful four year old little girl Kaitlin. She is my life.

I am a child of God. I am blessed beyond measure. My God has never forsaken me.

I have an awesome family. I enjoy just being at home with them.

My daughter is my inspiration for this preschool program. I love being at stay at home mommy. It is such a blessing.

When I was a little girl, I dreamed of being a teacher. My sister and I played "school" all the time. I attended Central Baptist college and the UACCM in Morrilton and took numerous early childhood classes.
In 2005, my little "surprise" bundle of joy, Kaitlin arrived, and I decided to stay home with her. Here I am almost 4 years later, trying to live my dream again. :)
Life is good!

Some training I have completed includes:
Early Childhood Competencies
Methods and Materials
Foundations of Early Childhood Education
Educational Technology
Introduction to Education
General Psychology
Nutrition

Sample schedule

A typical day may include all or some of the following activites: (We will try to follow this, but may be changed according to children's interests).

*Welcome-Students will arrive and spend some time looking at books and working with puzzles. This quiet morning will help students make the transition to school as they greet me and each other.

*Morning Circle Time-
Every day will start with prayer and prayer requests from each little one.
May include songs, calendar/weather, days of the week, the Pledge of Allegiance , colors, numbers and letters of the day, intro to new topics, theme based stories, fingerplays/puppets, creative movement, Bible verse of the week, etc.

*Dramatic Play/free play
Dramatic play or pretend cooperative play is very important for preschool children to develop language skills along with social skills. This is where the children use their imaginations! I will be playing right along with them to encourage cooperation and learning. This time may include building block towers, dress up, learning center games, etc. Be a Queen or a Prince and knight a bear to Bearhood; or be a Fireman: rescue a bear from a burning cave. (examples only)!Some days we will just have free play. The children can choose from a variety of things such as scensory, puzzles, blocks, computer game, reading, file folder games, etc.

*Outside play or planned activity Short walks will be provided for children while weather is pleasant. During inclement weather, we will stay inside. Your child will be provided one hour of gross motor play outside in the play area or inside due to inclimate weather.

*Math- We will be counting, dividing, measuring, play math games, grouping, sorting, etc..

*Creative Arts/Writing-

Developing early writing and fine motor skills with a variety of different tools such as play dough, markers, sidewalk chalk, paint, crayons, scissors, glue, etc. This art time also helps encourage a child's natural creativity.

*Science/ Scensory-
Students will practice lining up and walking in a line as they discover the out doors. We will discover many of God's wonderful creations like bugs, plants, clouds, air planes, the moon, the sun, rocks, dirt, the weather, etc. We experience with our senses using different textures and materials to touch, feel and smell.

*Final Circle Time-

This final circle time is a wonderful time to discuss our day. Students will take turns talking about their favorite parts of the day and sharing what they learned. Another song or story may be shared. The day will end in prayer and praises to God.

Welcome!

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John 4 AFFORDABLE DAYCARE WITH A PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM

Welcome to the "This Little Light of Mine" blog. This is where I will post updates, photos, and information about our activities and upcoming events.


At "This Little Light of Mine preschool" your child will…learn • listen • imagine • discover • build • try new things • grow • play • paint • pretend • share • create • count • run • skip • jump • make friends • dream • draw • dance…and feel special!

Ages nearly 3 to 5 years

Monday-Friday

8:00 am-3:00pm (days and times negotiable)

DAMASCUS Hwy 65

Small group size of no more than 6 for lots of one on one teaching
Warm, comfortable home setting, non-smoking
Snacks & drinks provided. Children in full day program must bring a sack lunch.



We will be using the Funshine Express Preschool curriculum. It correlates with the guidelines developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education.

Areas focused on but not limited to:
Creative Art, Number Concepts, Alphabet & Language, Colors & Shapes, Music & Movement, Supervised Play, Hands on Math, Hands on Science, Safety & Manners, Social Activities, Listening Skills, etc. Throughout the year we will also talk about how God created the world and us, and that He loves us and sent Jesus to us.

Call 501.253.2709 for more information.