This paper explores three key alternative pedagogies whose elements are recognized in free play among children of early and preschool age. Special emphasis is placed on the role of the preschool teacher as an active observer, who, through continuous reflection and documentation of children's play, contributes to the improvement of the educational process. Preschool teachers are the key actors in daily work with children, as they provide educational stimuli and organize activities that allow children to develop their knowledge, confidence, and self-awareness. The paper also highlights the importance of empowering preschool teachers to foster their curiosity and enhance their ability to innovate in their work with children. In this way, preschool teachers can better understand and recognize the elements of alternative pedagogies in children's play. Alternative approaches to education are based on the understanding of the child as a holistic and capable being who learns through all activities, including those that may seem insignificant to adults. The uniqueness of these approaches is reflected in the recognition of children's need for exploration, movement, and expression, which is easily observed in the practice of specialized educators. Throughout history, the understanding of the child and their development has changed, leading to the development of new approaches in education. Alternative pedagogies particularly emphasize children's autonomy and the importance of play as a foundation for learning and development. For the purposes of this paper, a qualitative study titled Observation of Elements of Alternative Pedagogies in Children's Play was conducted, based on the non-participatory observation method. The research was carried out in preschools in Croatia, in three sessions, each lasting 15 minutes. This paper contributes to the understanding of how elements of alternative pedagogies manifest in children's free play and provides guidelines for preschool teachers in their daily work with children, highlighting the importance of their role in observing and perceiving children's play