This report presents the preliminary findings of an in-depth study of small samples of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino, and Hawaiian children and their families living in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Children's learning characteristics and style as well as their socialization for schooling prior to their entry into formal public schools are investigated. Section 1 reviews the literature, while Section 2 reviews the methods used. Section 3 is divided into seven parts. Each part presents a preliminary analysis of the data collected. Child testing, observations of test-taking behavior, mother-child observations, and home interviews are described. Section 4 offers recommendations for future inquiry. Recommendations are divided into two general areas. Firstly, project reports are outlined, and then directions for future inquiry are suggested. Among the former are patterns of learning characteristics in each ethnic group, patterns of family socialization, mother-child interaction, and language behavior of child. Among the latter are a replication of the present study, studies of learning characteristics, studies of Asian American families, and the relationships between verbal and nonverbal assessments of competence. (Author/AM)