A questionnaire was designed to determine the preferences of parents and school staff regarding behavioristic and cognitively oriented teaching methods. Sixteen goals appropriate for kindergarten programs were selected from descriptions of model early childhood programs. The goals reflected four categories: social, personal, intellectual and physical. Data was collected from parents of kindergarten children, kindergarten teachers and building principals in 14 elementary schools. Results indicate that both groups favored cognitively oriented methods. Further, the parents, while favoring cognitively oriented methods, were found to prefer more teacher-directed, behavioral instructional procedures in the social and intellectual areas of the kindergarten program. It is concluded that parents who are asked to assist with and support kindergarten programs may encounter difficulties if they themselves favor more directed, behaviroal instructional methods. The questionnaire method can be used by schools to obtain useful information from both parents and staff. (Author/RH)