Understanding decimals before jumping into fractions makes learning easier.

1. Alignment Skills: Keeping decimal points lined up helps students understand place value better.

2. Addition/Subtraction: It makes adding and subtracting easier when we move on to fractions. For example, look at $1.5 + 2.3$.

3. Foundation: Decimals give a strong base for learning fractions, which helps everything feel smoother.

In the end, it helps build confidence!