Treat him like a little boy. He shouldn't be held to grown up standards and should be allowed to do what little boys do. So praise him for good actions, teach him through bad actions and let him make mistakes without the fear of bad things happening when he makes them. I know for myself I learn more from my mistakes when I am allowed to make them than from my successes.
Also if you feel open to it check out "The 5 love languages" by Gary Chapman. Basically he describes 5 different love languages that we all express. Word of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.
For myself I have the love language of Physical Touch. The way I receive "I love you" the best is through physical touch. So a back rub, A massage, a foot rub, etc. If all you ever did to me was give me gifts or spend time with me or gave me words of encouragment it wouldn't mean nearly as much to me as a 5 minute backrub periodically.
Oh and as far as nicknames go... depends on the person imo. My younger sister renamed herself ever since she could talk (age 2) to Tigger (Winnie the Pooh). She's almost 13 now and she still goes by Tigger. Heh growing up she would not respond half the time when you called her by her real name, she'd only respond if you called her Tigger.
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