Because of dissatisfaction with the existing programs in the system of education, at the beginning of the 20th century it was transformed. Pedagogical concepts aimed at establishing an education that is closer to the individual nature of the child and its needs. The movement of reform pedagogy marked the beginning of the 20th century, creating new pedagogical concepts, of which Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio and Agazzi are the most represented and most significant, and the emphasis in this paper is on Montessori and Waldorf. What is common to all these alternative pedagogical concepts is the focus on the child who is at the centre of interest, its well-being and its overall development. They are based on the provision of freedom to the child, the encouragement of autonomy, the provision of research and active learning through experience, the development of responsibility. The aim of this final paper is to analyze and learn more about the characteristics and foundations of Montessori and Waldorf pedagogy. Maria Montessori founded the Montessori pedagogy and Rudolf Steiner founded the Waldorf pedagogy. Montessori advocated giving full freedom to the child and believed that children have innate self-development forces that are activated if children are surrounded by a favourable environment. She objected to the direct help of the educators because she felt that children wanted to be independent and that this was best for their development. Steiner felt that real pedagogical steps resulted from self - training, developing his intuition, and listening to what was happening in the child itself. Both Montessori and Steiner felt that a teacher was a role model for children to learn from and that he had to choose his ways and reactions carefully. Material is a very important aspect in both pedagogies, so Montessori pedagogy is characterized by original Montessori material, and for Waldorf pedagogy only natural materials that help to raise all the senses of the child. Both pedagogies feel that it is important to listen to the nature and will of the child and give him freedom of action in order for it to develop into an independent and capable being.