This book starts with a review of the evolution of the notion of intelligence in its first chapter. In 1969, an article by psychologist Arthur R. Jensen suggested that there may be innate differences in intellectual potential between blacks and whites, and, if so, these differences should be taken into account in educational planning. The controversy that ensued over Jensen's statement is reviewed in chapter two. Various approaches to environmentally determined differences in cognitive performance are discussed in chapter three. The early 1960s saw a resurgence of the preschool movement in the U.S. Controversial issues about the programs coming from this movement are the subject of chapter four. The history, cultural setting, and educational difficulties of the about 150,000 Aborigines of Australia are discussed in chapter five. In chapter six, the history, rationale, and results of an Australian preschool in the outback, established for part-Aboriginal children, are described. Chapter seven deals with theoretical issues in cognitive development. Chapter eight considers the assumptions underlying, and the questions raised by the framework proposed in chapter seven. Author/JM)