Little-A-Little | Commonly Confused Words

A little

/'lɪtl/

A small amount or degree; not much.

/ˈlɪtl/

Small in size, amount, or degree; not much

It wants constant attention in the littlest things.It terrified her not a little."A little over a year."

Little indicates almost none of something, often carrying a negative connotation.
A little suggests a small amount, but enough to make a difference, carrying a positive or neutral connotation.
If you say I have little time, it means you almost have no time at all.
If you say I have a little time, it means you have some time and can possibly spare it.
The presence of a before little changes the sentence meaning significantly.