This image is really important not least for Caregivers and does apply to adult little boys too who tend more to show their feelings less.
We don't do direct engagement especially if we're upset over something but if you have us do something like put our footie kit on, have a kick about and then talk to us, we'll drop our guard and start talking.
You may encourage us to kick that ball with the anger we might feel so we express it, letting it go in a safe way.
Adult little boys like me need handling different to girls in order to help us work through why we are silent.