The construction of Gumpgookies, a test for measuring motivation of young children to achieve in school, is discussed. The test is rooted in a theoretical framework, which conceives of five constituents of motivation to achieve: (1) affective; (2) conceptual; (3) purposive; (4) cognitive; and (5) evaluative. Factor analysis and a type of cluster analysis were applied in order to judge the adequacy of the theory with reference to the original test format. Based on these and other techniques, the format was revised and administered to 1607 preschool children in 10 ethnic-cultural samples in the United States. Appropriate group forms were administered to 668 children in the first, second and fourth grades in Hawaii. Following extensive data analysis, factors were identified for both sample populations, some of which needed further study. Ultimately, the study is directed to deriving a better foundation for teaching motivation to children at various ages and of different backgrounds. It is suggested that further research might well be based on improved techniques for clarifying substantive motivational factors. Two such techniques are discussed. Exploratory efforts to teach motivation to preschool children are described. (TL)