Much of the research on the racial attitudes of young children suggests that black or dark skin color elicits negative attitudes, while white skin color is embraced by all children regardless of their skin color. The authors sought to determine if Puerto Rican children exhibited similar ethnic identification and color preference characteristics. Twenty-five Puerto Rican first graders in a public school were surveyed using two tests. The Color Test consisted of two uncolored drawings of faces. The children were asked to color one drawing the skin color they were, and the second the way that they would like to be. The Picture Test included two sets of colored pictures of girls and boys; one depicted light skin children and the other dark skin children. The subjects were asked to select the group they would like to play with and to explain their choices. The findings showed that the subjects were aware of and preferred their own skin color. The skin color of the children in the Picture Test influenced the subjects' playmate choice. The authors concluded that although the children identified with and were aware of their skin color, they appeared to have poor self images. (Author/MK)