HELP!

You can stick with the tote Idea that is what we do at my daycare. To help her to know what goes in each tote take a picture of the things in the tote and then lamitate then to the tote. Also only let her take out one tote at a time.

One of the keys to keeping a childs room clean (at any age) is just before christmas and just before their birthdays take a box full of stuff they nolonger play with out of their rooms and give it to goodwill. When the kids get older they like to help with this activity, tell them that they are getting new toys for gifts and they can give the older toys to the kids who otherwise might not have them. Thats what we do and my son actually helps me pack up the toys he no longer wants.

I had the same problem. Use the crates or totes but don't keep them in her room. Only let her have one at a time. When she's a little older, let her decide what goes into each crate. I started this early with my son and he put his toys in boxes and knew he would get them back. When it was time to clean again, he would get a new box out and it was like he was getting brand new toys. Unfortunately I haven't done this for a while so his room looks like a mess even after he tidies up, there just aren't enough shelves or drawers in the room.