How Might Delays in Theory of Mind Development Affect Other Areas of Development?
There are several domains of development where Theory of Mind skills may be a prerequisite or foundation for later development. First, it is very likely that Theory of Mind skills play a central role in children’ s understanding and production of narratives. Bruner distinguishes between the “landscape of action” and the “landscape of consciousness,” both essential to narration. The fact that many deaf children appear to be delayed in their development of Theory of Mind skills may contribute to impoverished understanding of stories and so to their widely reported delays in reading skills. While many deaf children have difficulties with English grammar and vocabulary, these problems may not be the only cause of reading delays. Research shows that even preschool storybooks have a great deal of content related to desires and beliefs of the characters. For example, Little Red Riding Hood has a false belief in that she thinks the wolf is her grandmother, but as readers, we know that the wolf
