Texas Health and Human Services / Texas Health Steps
Interactive Anticipatory Guidance Provider Guide
Early Childhood icon

3-Year Checkup

  • Family Well-Being
    • Keep a usual family routine
    • Make one-on-one time for each child in family
    • Make time for yourself and your partner
  • Keeping Child Safe
    • Do not shake or hit child
    • Choose safe, quality child care
    • Keep child in front-facing car seat with harness in back seat until the child meets the height and weight limit set by seat maker
    • Supervise when child is in or near water, even if child knows how to swim
    • Ensure home is safe from fire, carbon monoxide poisoning and choking hazards
    • Keep Poison Control number handy: 800-222-1222
    • Assess home for lead exposure
    • Lock up guns
    • Teach child to answer the door and telephone
    • Require wearing a helmet when child rides tricycle or bicycle
  • Healthy Feeding
    • Provide three nutritious meals and two snacks a day
    • Limit sweets and high-fat foods
  • Regular Care and Routines
    • Assist with brushing teeth with soft toothbrush two times a day
    • Establish ongoing care with dental provider
    • Establish a consistent bedtime routine
    • Encourage supervised outdoor play
  • Healthy Development
    • Establish consistent limits, rules and consequences
    • Encourage child to tell the story his or her way
    • Limit TV and screen time to one to two hours a day
    • Show affection and praise for good behaviors
    • Provide age-appropriate toys to develop imagination
    • Read books and sing together daily
    • Discipline constructively using time-out for one minute per year of age