At what age range do infants generally show protective extension skills?

Infants typically demonstrate protective extension skills around 10-11 months of age. This milestone is a critical aspect of their motor development, as it indicates their ability to react to a loss of balance by extending their arms out to catch themselves and protect against falls. The development of this skill is a reflection of their increasing body awareness, coordination, and strength.

During this stage, infants have gained enough muscle control and coordination to start navigating environments that may include unsteady surfaces or a need to shift their weight in motion. It is essential for safety as they begin to explore more actively, crawling, and eventually walking.

The age range of 8-9 months often coincides with earlier gross motor milestones such as sitting independently and beginning to crawl, but protective extension typically becomes refined and noticeable slightly later as infants gain confidence in their movements. The age range of 6-7 months usually involves foundational skills like rolling and sitting up, while 12-15 months marks advances in walking and possibly running, where protective extension continues to be necessary but may not reflect the initial emergence of the skill.