The article analyzes the significance of the heritage potential of scientists who defined pedagogical thinking in the XX century, as well as their views on the development of priority areas of pedagogy, in general, and the problems caused by issues and various aspects of child rearing, in particular; compares systems, forms and methods of child rearing, classifications of age periods, as well as physiological and psychological changes occurring in children at various stages of their growing up; based on the conducted historical and pedagogical research, conclusions are drawn about the relevance and feasibility of the scientific potential of pedagogical heritage in modern conditions of the development of pedagogical science and society as a whole.