Countoons: A Tool for Self Monitoring

Teaching a self-monitoring system to your students can help change their behaviors. Countoons are a tool that can be used to have children monitor and record their own behavior.

Countoons (originally developed by Kunzelmann, Cohen, Hulten, Martin & Mingo, 1970) are cartoon versions of recording devices that students use to count their behaviors. Countoons are a simple visual representation of expected behavior and inappropriate behavior and a contingency for earning a reward. Students are taught to use the tool to self monitor their behavior. An in-depth description of Countoons can be found in the article Using Countoons to Teach Self-Monitoring Skills by Patricia M. Daly and Patty Ranalli.

• Child's Age: 6-10, 11-13
• Planning Effort: Moderate
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

visual representations at the skill level of the students

1. Identify the inappropriate behavior that you want to decrease and the appropriate behavior you want to increase.

2. Identify a reward the student can earn and the contingency for earning the reward.

3. Explain and model for the student how the Countoon works

4. Practice using the Countoon with adult guidance.

5. Identify a time to implement use of the Countoon.

6. Remind the student what s/he needs to do to earn the reward.

7. Implement the Countoon and revise as needed.

8. As appropriate behaviors increase, make decisions for fading the use of the Countoon.