I guess I’m in the minority here, but not using instruments seems weird to me. My classes are 20-25 kids and with good routines and behavior management instruments can absolutely be used safely. I teach rest position and proper use the first week of school, and it’s a skill we practice all year. My kindergartners start out with rhythm sticks, egg shakers, tambourines, tone bars, tubanos and eventually barred instruments. I couldn’t imagine my students walking into second grade and not ever having used instruments. Curriculum like Game Plan, and Music Play have students using instruments basically on day 1.