The development of the child is crucial during the early years, during this period the development of the brain takes place. Brain development contributes to the functioning of the body. The anatomy of the brain is made up of neurons and divided into four different lobes. The temporal, frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes control a variety of cognitive functions. The brain controls simple functions such as fine and gross motor skills, vision, and memory. According to Meadows (1993, p.263), at all levels of the brain there are programs for functions such as breathing, sleeping, and producing coherent speech. Brain development in children is vital during the early years. During the early years, children's brains are active and allow children to learn a variety of information. Many studies have been conducted that have concluded that a healthy lifestyle, physical activity, and exposure of young children to a variety of educational materials help the child's development. The first years of a child's life are crucial regarding his intellectual and socio-emotional abilities (Bose, 2000). Brain DevelopmentThe brain and the more non-essential parts of the nervous system are made up of neurons (Meadows, 1993 page 266). The brain is made up of neurons, axons, dendrites and synapses. They all have their individual work that contributes to the functioning of the body. The weight of the brain increases as the child becomes an adult. According to Siegler & Alibali (2005, p13), changes in brain size make advanced thinking possible. Neurons are the functioning nucleus of the brain (Brotherson, 2005). The brain begins to develop in the womb and continues to develop as the baby grows. The neuron has branches that protrude from the cell and send signals to the synapse and axon. The synapse and axon shape the brain which allows connections to be made. Young children learn new information when they follow the same routine regularly. If a parent repeatedly calls a child a certain name, connections are formed that allow the child to recognize that name over time and he or she will begin to respond to that name (Brotherson, 2005). Through repetitive experiences, axons and synapses strengthen, causing learning. The brain is divided into four main lobes: the frontal lobe, the parietal lobe, the occipital lobe and the temporal lobe. Each lobe contributes to cognitive development in young children.