My daughter was like that too. When she started kindergarten she finally opened up. She will be 6 next month, and I feel alot better about her being in first grade now then I did when she wouldnt talk. People at church who she knew would talk to her and she would just look at them and not answer. I made the mistake of telling them that she was just shy. All that did was give her more of an excuse not to talk. After awhile of dealing with this, we had a talk about how it is rude not to answer someone. I showed her how it felt, I did not answer her when she talked to me, she didnt like that. I honestly believe that there is nothing wrong with your daughter, she is just testing you to see what she can get away with. You mentioned that even if she doesnt talk people still give her something. I would make it clear to her, that if she does not talk and use her manners, then she will not get anything. Just tell whoever it is who trys to giver her something, that she cant have anything until she can talk and say thank you. After a while of her not getting stuff. she will get mad and give in. There is a little girl in my class at church who wouldnt say anything for about the first 2 1/2 months. She would shake her head yes or no, or point. Her grandma said she talked all the time. She wouldnt even respond to the other kids. Well one day when we were having snack, she wanted more animal crackers. She went over to the box and pointed to them. I knew exactly what she wanted, but I told her that if she really wanted them then she would have to ask nicely for them. She just kept pointing to them. We did this for about 5 minutes. Finally I told her that snack was almost done, so if she wanted those crackers then should ask soon. She finally mubbled. with her hand over her mouth " can I have some more crackers please", I said I can understand you with your hand over your mouth. She was getting pretty frustrated with me by now, almost to the point of crying. But she finally gave in, she said it loudly, and got her crackers. All the kids in the class were shocked, they all started saying " she talked she can talk". Ever since that day she talks nonstop, and I have to tell her to quite down sometimes. So there is hope for your daugter, sometime kids just need to know that they are not in charge. Hope this help somewhat.