Well, I have tried many a time to get my boys to keep their rooms neat and tidy...usually, punishment doesn't work AT ALL with mine.  I have gotten things organized, and then they have a play date and mess it all up (my kids are now 4 and 6) and we have neighborhood kids here most of the time...they run between the houses and play at each other's house.  Get things cleaned out and organized at her level....pictures and printed names on clear boxes, little cubbies, etc.  Since your daughter is 5, she will be in Kindergarten this year, right?  My oldest finished Kindergarten this May and he is now doing a pretty good job of cleaning up his room (with motivation of an allowance or a treat...like a fishing trip with dad, or a trip to the dollar store to get a fun toy HE chooses).  Making it fun is what has helped me, singing songs, giving them music and letting them clean on their own, whatever you can create to make it fun!  Start out slow with her and don't expect it all at once.  I am working on chores with the boys (making their beds daily, helping with laundry - must be put in the laundry hamper....NOT on the floor!)  Toys are usually picked up at the end of the day, or playtime, and put in their places.  I am not militant...but, this is helpful in organizing the toys. 

Try this...Use a dry erase board, or create a chart with days of the week, and blanks for chores...use it to keep track with stars or stickers of some sort.  I use something like this to keep track of each child's accomplishment in keeping their rooms neat and tidy - we take fun trips to Dewar's for a SPECIAL reward if they are really good!  Try positive reinforcement of good deeds.  Praise the heck out of her when she picks things up.  Try not to flip out too often....(speaking from a fellow neat-freak!!)  relax and help her understand how important it is to keep her room clean and organized when school starts.  And remember, having fun is the most important part of learning!  Let me know how it works for you....Good luck!  Sonya   

I totally agree!!! It has to be fun and you will have to be patient because it will not happen overnight.  I sing a "clean up song" with my kids and I clean up with them the first few times.  Barney has a Clean Up song you can sing... google it if you need lyrics and tunes.  Or you can make up your own clean up song with her.  You can also try making a game out of it... and always reward her for doing it.  I started training my daughter to help me clean up as early as 18 months... I showed her where all the toys go after playing and all toys needs to be put away before bedtime.  I did the same thing with my son.  Now when I come to their room at night all I have to do is tell them it's almost bedtime and it's time to clean their room!  When they are done they call me and show me how good they did their chore!!!  Then off we go to do their bedtime ritual!!!  It takes a while but they will learn the routine and it is not impossible!!! 

I do let my kids mess their room up when they are playing or have friends over... but they all have to clean up together when they are done playing and before their friends leave.   I also remind them to put toys back in their boxes/designated spots when they are done with a toy(s) before they play with another one.  Most the time they remember... so that works out for me. 

Think of fun ways to do it and always praise and reward her!!! She will be doing it on her own before you know it!!! 

You guys are great! I'll let you know what happens...  :)