[Thomp]

Lots of great information given here hope i don't overload the information but a few things to think about.

once bitten by the bug, he will find a way to carve,,

i got many a spanking for sneaking out with a paring knife and carving liloc bush branches, usually only to return to mom with a cut finger....

I think besides learning how to do the sharpening and maintaining tools,
the carving wood is the biggest throw back to young carvers,.

i spent lot of time healing up as a lad carving found wood in back alleys and what i could come up with.
Balsa wood Although available most walmart and hobby places is not a good choice to carve,

Construction lumber while readily available will only get a youngster cut and the grain will fall apart to often and discourages efforts..

although to many tools at first may discourage him, a quality knife and some basic tools will help his efforts. ''

A bench hook, will help him maintain control of the project and hold it so he will have his hands out of the cutting path especially if the work is clamped with a wedge..

[Robert Cahill]

All the above is good advice and perhaps learning with him would be an inspiration