It makes it hard that he hasn't had kids himself, but I think he can still learn. I think a great point to make with him is that children are still emotionally developing, so when they act out for attention its not because they want attention, its because they need attention. Acting on a child's needs isn't spoiling them, its providing for them what they need to emotionally develop. If you ignore those needs then they aren't able to develop the way they 'should' and something can go wrong. You still need to provide emotionally as you would provide food, water, warmth and so on.

I hope that makes sense?