We count the pegs when we hang the washing (also colours but thats a different thread)

I ask her how many and she says 2 then I ask her to count them...1....2. When she started she had no idea so I would count them out first.

Echoing your counting is the first step..thats how kids learn to talk to hon. Make her feel important and ask her. It may take a while but hey....its learning
xx