Step 1: Understanding Piaget's stages.
Piaget's stages of cognitive development include the sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational stages. The emergence of language is closely associated with the preoperational stage.
Step 2: Analyzing each stage.
- (1) Sensorimotor: This stage is characterized by the development of object permanence, not language. Language starts emerging later.
- (2) Concrete operational: This stage focuses on logical thinking and conservation but is too late for the emergence of language.
- (3) Preoperational: Correct. The preoperational stage (typically ages 2 to 7) is when children begin to use language, representing a critical milestone in cognitive development.
- (4) Formal operational: This stage, starting at age 11, involves abstract and hypothetical thinking but does not relate to language emergence.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (3) Preoperational, as this is when language development becomes prominent.