Arab Educational Information Network

The "theory of mind" is one of the most important cognitive theories that must be developed in young children because of its importance in the processes of communication and social interaction. The importance of this ability is to increase the child's ability to read mind of others and expect their behaviors, desires, intentions, and beliefs. The research aimed to answer three important questions: and relied on through review and meta-analysis theoretical frameworks and of previous studies to answer the questions. The first answer was to identify what is the mean of the concept of (Theory of Mind “ToM") as an important cognitive ability for children. Second, the factors affect the “theory of mind” for children were social cognitive, genetic, biological, environmental, and emotional. Third, the stages of development of “theory of mind” were also identified which begin at the age of one year when the appropriate social and environmental stimuli surrounding the child are available to develop his theory of mind. The stages of theory of mind identified through review and meta-analysis theoretical frameworks and of previous studies. (Published abstract)