Redirecting a 10 year old?????

[zipworth]

I am currently watching my friend's two lovely boys after school -they are very close in age: 9&10. They are very well behaved and pleasant except the older boy passive-aggressively picks on the younger boy on occasion. I am unsure how to deal with this in a respectful way. I don't know the boys very well yet; They have had tons of changes in their lives as well as some turmoil, which I would rather not get into; and my area of expertise is preschoolers. If I saw a four year old behaving the way the 10 year old was, I would redirect them! Is it possible? Any ideas on nipping passive aggressive behaviors in the bud? Without yelling?

[warriorprincess]

Does he have a hobby? Reading? Gameboy? Legos? Anything you could suggest he do when you see him starting to pick on his brother.

[zipworth]

Well, it's when they are engaged in an activity together, like playing a game or swinging together on the hammock that the older one will do subtle things like poking him just hard enough, or break his work (a storm hit it!), or push him with his feet. Then they become embroiled in a power struggle and it always seems to be the young one who loses. I spoke to their mom about it and she has seen this at home and doesn't know how to deal with it either....