Theory of mind (ToM) development is critical to effective social functioning and appears to depend on complementary language abilities. The current study explored the mediating influence of language on the development of both cognitive and affective ToM. A total of 151 children aged 5–12 years completed ToM (cognitive and affective) and language assessments, and parents provided ratings of their children’s empathic ability. Results showed that language mediated the relationship between age and both cognitive and affective ToM but not parent-reported cognitive empathy. Examination of younger and older subgroups revealed that language mediated cognitive and affective ToM differently across developmental periods. Findings highlight the dynamic role that language plays in the development of both cognitive and affective ToM throughout early and middle childhood.

心理理论 (ToM) 的发展对于有效的社会功能至关重要，并且似乎依赖于互补的语言能力。目前的研究探讨了语言对认知和情感 ToM 发展的中介影响。共有 151 名 5-12 岁的儿童完成了 ToM（认知和情感）和语言评估，父母对他们孩子的移情能力进行了评分。结果表明，语言介导了年龄与认知和情感 ToM 之间的关系，但不介导父母报告的认知移情。对年轻和年长亚组的检查表明，语言在不同发育时期介导认知和情感 ToM 的方式不同。