"Gentle prodding" means encouraging or nudging someone to do something, but in a soft and kind way rather than forcefully or aggressively. Full definition
They don't need BRA's; they need to get out of the real estate business via the less - than - gentle prodding of the provincial enforcement authorities after they have been caught committing their second minor offence, or their first serious offence... period. (remonline.com)
The V - 10 behind the Huracans» seats is a perfect pendulum, easy to swing and catch, and with gentle prodding from our teacher, we were holding a slide for one lap, then two, then three. (automobilemag.com)
This can be a bit hard to judge in a nocturnal animal, but with attention (and perhaps some very gentle prodding), hamsters should wake up and be inquisitive about what is happening. (thesprucepets.com)