Kids are generally easier to teach too. I don't know if it's the video games or simply that they are a blank slate, but I tell a kid to give left aileron, the plane rolls left. I tell an adult the same thing, it'll roll right and then nose down with full throttle!

Good luck with introducing the youngster to the hobby. I would think once he gets his head around controlling the plane some pylon racing would be a good way to keep him interested.