Yes, for about a year after they first morph is when they prefer water (from what I have been told). This is just an average though...and is true for most species that come from aquatic larva and are aquatic adults, they go through a terrestrial juvienlle stage.
In CFB's it's pretty hard to guage how old they are just from size unless they're abnormally small. I would just keep providing your animal with plenty of options in both land and water, and let him/her choose. If it last for a really long time sometimes some 'encouragment' is needed. Suggestions I've had given to me were to mist the newt daily or to raise the tank water level so that all the land is submerged, but just deep enough so that if they sit on the land their head can break the surface.
I did this, and the three that were clinging to land for about 8 months are now always swiming about looking for food.
Hope that helps, and anybody feel free to add/correct anything I've said.
