parks
La Greca: Words matter
By Gabriela La Greca Follow at Aspen Times
· July 8, 2026
· 5 min read
I was recently talking with one of the nannies on my team, and it sparked a discussion about something many of us grew up hearing without questioning:
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
One early printed version of this rhyme appeared in 1862 in The Christ...
Key takeaway ” One early printed version of this rhyme appeared in 1862 in The Christian Recorder, the oldest continuously published African American newspaper in the United States, founded by the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Why this matters in Aspen News
In Aspen 's parks and playgrounds, where children from diverse backgrounds gather to play and learn, the impact of words can be particularly significant. As a community that values empathy and understanding, it's crucial to recognize that words have the power to both hurt and heal. The discussion around the old adage "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" takes on added relevance in a town where children are encouraged to explore and express themselves. By teaching children to consider the emotional and physical impact of their words, parents and caregivers in Aspen can help foster a culture of kindness and respect that extends beyond the playground and into the community at large. As the city's parks and recreation department continues to develop programs and services for local youth, incorporating lessons on empathy and the responsible use of language can be a valuable addition to their offerings.
About this story
Original reporting by Aspen Times . Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Aspen Times . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: Aspen Times ·
Reading time: 5 min
Get more Aspen News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering parks and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? I was recently talking with one of the nannies on my team, and it sparked a discussion about something many of us grew up hearing without questioning:
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
One early printed version of this rhyme appeared in 1862 in The Christ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by Aspen Times and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gabriela La Greca Follow at Aspen Times. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More parks →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter