Planet Money: Why Preschool Can Save The World

On today's show, we meet a self-described robber baron who decided to spend his billions on finger paint and changing tables. We revisit decades-long studies that found preschool made a huge difference in the lives of poor children. And we talk to a Nobel prize-winning economist who says that spending public money on preschool produces a huge return on investment.

We'll have more on preschool this weekend on This American Life.

For more: Tulsa's Educare Center in the Tulsa; Paul Tough's How Children Succeed; The Carolina Abededarian Project; and "A new cost-benefit and rate of return analysis for the Perry Preschool Program: A Summary."

Download the Planet Money iPhone App. Music: Cold War Kids' "Sensitive Kid." Find us: Twitter/ Facebook/ Spotify/ Tumblr. Note: Part of today's show aired in a podcast last year.

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