Imagine you are a child, and someone is telling you about the profession of a firefighter and what firefighters do at work. Now imagine having a mom or dad who is a firefighter, and every day you hear stories from your parent about this noble profession and events in the field. Finally, imagine that you, as a child, get not only to listen or imagine but also to become a firefighter for one day alongside adults who explain how it’s done. Your personal involvement would increase your inner desire and curiosity to learn more about this profession, and you wouldn’t easily forget something that became part of your everyday experience and impression.
Children Are Part of the Community
At Trešnjober, we have nurtured cooperation with the local community and children’s involvement in community life for 21 years. In order to make child accept involvement in society with joy and a sense of safety and security, our institution organizes various programs and visits through which children learn about their health, education, recreation, culture, recycling, environmental protection, and other important socially responsible activities.
Our cooperation includes the following institutions:
- Elementary schools in the municipalities where Trešnjober kindergartens operate — communication and visits aimed at better and easier preparation of children for school. Cooperation is with teachers, professional associates, and school principals.
- Work organizations and professional institutions — cooperation with the “Nadežda Petrović” Secondary Medical School in Zemun, which educates specialists working with nursery-age children. Our institution enables professional practice for 3rd and 4th-year high school students. We cooperate with professors, the secretary, and the school principal.
- Pediatric clinic “Slavija Medic” and Dr Spomenka Mihić-Simović.
- Dental clinics: “Moj Zubar” in Zvezdara with dr Marija Dukić, and “Dental Clinic dr Dragana Prgomelja” in Altina with dr Dragana Prgomelja.
- Ministry of Education — communication and visits; cooperation with school administration leaders.
- Zvezdara municipal government — communication and participation in various contests and events (“Zvezdarište,” “Fairy Tale Square,” “Belgrade Winter,” “The Most Beautiful Moms of Zvezdara”). Cooperation with the Department for Social Activities.
- Libraries: cooperation with libraries in the municipalities of Vračar, Zvezdara, Galenika, Stari Grad, and the National Library.
- Cultural institutions: cooperation with theaters in the municipalities of Vračar, Zvezdara, and Zemun: “Čarapa,” “Duško Radović,” “Boško Buha,” “Pinocchio”.
- Museum visits: Historical Museum of Serbia, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Science and Technology, Nikola Tesla Museum, Ethnographic Museum, Natural History Museum — guided visits.
- Sports centers: “Rajko Mitić” stadium, Olimp Sports Center, Tašmajdan Sports Center, Pionir Ice Hall, sports fields at Ada Ciganlija — visits and sport demonstrations.
- Municipal institutions in the Trešnjober kindergarten municipalities — markets, Public utility company Gradsko Zelenilo.
- PC Srbija Šume — educational eco workshops for Trešnjober children — cooperation with management.
- Traffic police — mutual visits and program “Children’s Traffic Safety.” Cooperation with traffic policemen.
- Emergency Sector — Belgrade Fire Brigade and Matica Zemun — mutual visits and program “Children’s Safety and Fire Protection” — cooperation with the head of the emergency sector.
- “Čep za hendikep” organization — collecting recyclable materials in Trešnjober kindergartens.
- Svratišta Beograd — day shelter collecting necessary items for center users.
- “NURDOR” Association — various actions of the association.
When children connect with their environment, they learn by observing, asking questions, trying, and practicing. They develop different experiences of various situations, feel that they belong to society, contribute, and feel equally important. Children are not only part of their family. Being a child does not mean waiting to become mature and grown to be involved in the community. Children are part of the entire society — the same society where firefighters, grandparents, cultural institutions, parks in front of buildings, and everyone else we live with and around, exist.