Advances in neuroscience, developmental psychology, and program evaluation have been combined to develop a unified framework that provides evidence-based guidance related to early childhood policy. This research shows how insights from the field of economics-- human capital theory and monetary payoffs--also contribute to that framework. (Contains 2 tables.) [This research brief describes work done for RAND Labor and Population that was funded and co-managed by Casey Family Programs and documented in "The Economics of Early Childhood Policy: What the Dismal Science Has to Say about Investing in Children" by M. Rebecca Kilburn and Lynn A. Karoly (ED501589).]