This study addresses the issue of child abuse and neglect also proffers the collaboration of synergic and caring thinking as a solution to this problem in Nigeria. This exercise begins with chapter one which dealt on the overall introduction or background of the study, statement of the problem which led to the research study, the objectives of the study or the significance of the study, scope and assumptions of the study and as well as the terminologies used in the content. Chapter two reviewed related literature. Chapter three focuses on the exposition of problems. Chapter four was all about the application of synergic and caring thinking in Nigerian system of education, politics, governance and economy. Chapter five summarizes the findings through conclusions, educational implications, recommendations, limitations and suggestions for further studies. There is also references.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page - - - - - - - - - i

Approval page - - - - - - - - ii

Abstract - - - - - - - - - iii

Table of contents - - - - - - - vi

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction - - - - - - - 1

1.1 Background of the study - - - - - 1

1.2 Statement of the problems - - - - - 5

1.3 Significance of the study - - - - - - 6

1.4 Purpose of the study - - - - - - 6

1.5 Research questions - - - - - - - 7

1.6 Research methodology - - - - - 7

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Review of related literature - - - - - 8

2.1 The concept of child abuse - - - - 8

2.2 Emotional abuse - - - - - - 12

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Expose of the study - - - - - - 31

3.1 Exposition of Nigerian system of education – pedagogy 31

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Implication of the study - - - - - 48

4.1 The concept of synergy - - - - - 48

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Summary, Conclusion, recommendations - - 66

5.1 Summary - - - - - - - - 66

5.2 Recommendation - - - - - - - 67

5.3 Limitation of the study - - - - - 68

5.4 Suggestion for further studies - - - - - 68

References - - - - - - - - 69

Chapter one

1.0 Introduction

The importance of synergic thinking and caring thinking in Nigeria

1.1 The Background

Synergic thinking is a way of thinking that involves combined effort of not just one person but many in order to achieve a common goal which is the key to thinking successfully. (Marzano, Robert) et al mentioned the skills involved in synergic thinking which are the;

(a) Honesty

(b) Rationality

(d) Open-mindedness

(e) Discipline

(f) Judgment

(g) Tolerance

(a) Honesty – Thinking in honesty way which is positively not negatively (D.N) (198) pp. 18-9.

(b) Rationality: The ability to combine problems together and reason what to do not just to take non- synergic thinking also finding the best explanation on evidence and ignore the ones that is not good.

(c) Self-awareness: Thinking most have thought, conscience and them mind have be aware of what thought is in the mind, be aware of the person thought.

(d) Open-mindedness: The mind have to be aware and opened to have a positive thoughts, not non-synergic thinking.

(e) Discipline: The thinking must be well checked and well thought understand the right thoughts and wrong one. It will be well trained in other to achieve a critical thought and creative thought.

(f) Judgment: The mind must be checked and find different and collect the good thought and avoid the unused ones.

(g) Tolerance: Thinking must have self-evidence, tolerance the ones the person feels as a good thought before saying or using it to solve problems.

Creative Thinking: The ability to give the interpretation of mind can be positive on negative. One would have thought that more enlightened attitude towards person would have thought that greatest appreciation of person’s capacity to be aware to thinks for himself and to reason about to metaphysical and epistemological issues. Also it insistence on the idiosyncratic character of persons experience liberated that person from treatment as an underdeveloped adult at school and at home. Anih (2001) highlighted the various processes involved in synergy. They are:

a) Observes self in the process of thinking.

b) Monitors and corrects self in the process

c) Can suspend thinking, judgements, and evaluations.

d) Knows the difference between thinking, sensing, and margining and can use each selectively.

e) Checks for errors and has standards for the communication of ideas.

f) Asking Questions from observations.

g) Giving reasons and distinguishing good reasons from bad ones.

h) Co-operation/collaboration stages.

i) Dialogue spirit requires care and commitment.

j) Critical and creative thinking, Dialogue is also essential for the building of common purposes and understandings in terms of any kind of growth.

k) It is an art to be though, studied and practical and as such it is not a result of a quick fix up.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Nigeria needs to cooperate collaborate or synergize in order to achieve a common goal. There are still many national goals yet to be achieved such as good education and better future for our children, infrastructure in both rural and urban areas, steady power supply, food industry and adequate transportation and it is mainly by coming together, promoting unity in diversity that we can achieve what we want.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

This study addresses the issue of child abuse and neglect and proffers synergic and caring thinking as a solution.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study is important because it will help to enlighten our educational administrators and curriculum planners, parents and teachers on the right approach in relating with young people and also on the right dimension to follow in order to solve the existing problems in Nigerian educational system.

The study is meant for

1) The students teachers

2) The teacher educators

3) The curriculum planners

4) The educational administrators.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1) In what ways can we implant the spirit of belongingness, cooperation and collaboration among students in classroom activities?

2) To what extent can synergy propagate democracy?

1.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Library research method