ABSTRACT

This chapter presents in semi-chronological order, a paraphrased description of the Conference sessions. In planning the publication of the formal papers of the Social Science Research Council Conference on Pre-School Education, the editors felt it important to share with the reader some of the content and flavor of the discussions which the presentations stimulated among the Conference participants. Some positive goals for education and desirable outcomes for individuals were suggested. These are intrinsic rather than extrinsic motivation for learning; emphasis on socialization and cooperative peer-interaction rather than on isolated individual problem-solving; self-knowledge and self-expression rather than rote-leaming and a regurgitative intellect; curiosity, creativity, and adaptive intelligence rather than task-specific skills. If standard IQ measures do not fit present needs, their replacement might take one of two forms: batteries of tests to measure retardation and growth in specific skills; or techniques to assess that creative intelligence expected to emerge from less task-specific programs.