Again, I ask: have you read the Tau Manifesto? If not, I suggest you do that, as it makes the case there much more clearly than I could here.
The point being: for children learning the basics, the odd 2 or 1/2 here and there masks the underlying relationships. But don't take my word for it-- read the manifesto.
I read it a few years ago. I disagree. It's like saying removing a seldom used letter from the alphabet would mean kids learn to spell better.
The whole point of learning is to learn to read things and understand them. That means looking behind 'fluff' like 2, or 1/2, and understanding the concepts.
The point being: for children learning the basics, the odd 2 or 1/2 here and there masks the underlying relationships. But don't take my word for it-- read the manifesto.